Guangzhou Auto Show: Integration of cars and technology

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As electric driving, intelligence and networking are reshaping the auto sector, the 2017 Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition is seeing traditional automakers partner with IT giants to improve people’s lives through innovative technology.

Wang Qiufeng, Chief Editor of Tencent Auto, said the trend of car manufacturing combined with intelligent technology will continue for the next two years.

"No matter if they do it alone or proceed like Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent to cooperate, they will connect the cars with the network. Market demand is there," Wang said.

Guangzhou Automobile Group is testing the new market with leading tech company Tencent. Other big automakers such as Changan and Dongfeng are doing so as well.

Meanwhile, a new type of car company focusing on model design and new technology has emerged, but with the production part outsourced to traditional automakers.

Japan’s Nissan Motor Co. holds a press conference themed “Evolving from ‘young’ to ‘intelligent’” at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition on Nov. 17, 2017, the opening day of the event. /VCG Photo

And that is a rather efficient way in terms of car manufacturing, according to Zhang Hailiang, Chairman of Beijing DearCC Auto Technology. Zhang just moved last month from the CEO of LeEco auto unit, a company focusing on technology and future transportation, to oversee DearCC.

About 100 out of the 1,100 cars displayed were new energy vehicles, another big focus in the auto show.

China’s Dongfeng and Renault have announced a medium-term business plan on that front. Dongfeng Renault will import nine domestic models, including three electric vehicles by 2022. They also set up a new energy automobile company to expand the market share of new energy vehicles in China.

"We will make more efforts in localizing our electric cars here in China, which means more cooperation with local company Dongfeng on research and development, purchasing and production," said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman of Renault Group.

(CGTN's Gao Songya also contributed to the story)

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