The First Seminar of 2021 China Automobile Market for Multinationals (hereinafter referred to as the Seminar) was held in Beijing on April 16. Vice President Xu Changming and Chief Economist Zhu Baoliang of the State Information Center (SIC) attended the event and delivered their speech respectively. Xie Min, Vice President of the Government Affairs, BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. addressed at the Seminar. Hosted by the Economic Consulting Center of the SIC and organized by BMW Brilliance, participants from the government affairs department, strategic planning department and marketing department of more than 10 major international passenger vehicle producers, including Daimler AG, Toyota Motor Corporation, Volkswagen AG, General Electric Company, Ford Motor Company, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover Public Ltd., and Stellantis attended the Seminar. Liu Ming, Deputy Director-General of the Informatization and Industry Development, SIC presided over the Seminar. 

Xu Changming analyzed the situation of the automobile market of the first quarter in 2021, predicted the trend for the succeeding quarters, and discussed a new trend for the fast development of intelligent and connected vehicles (ICVs). Xu pointed out that ICVs represent the industry’s latest orientation. Today, ICVs have attractted resources from various parties related to industry chain both at home and abroad, which is preferred by the local customers. Moreover, ICVs innovation and development has gained strong support from the national strategy. Through joint cooperation of auto producers, customers and governments, the development of ICVs is anticipated to grow fast in the long term, which shall have profoudn impacts on the automobile industry, including the industry chain, value chain, and corporate culture, etc.

The Chief Economist Zhu Baoliang introduced China’s remarkable achievements in its fight against COVID-19 since its outbreak in 2020 by summarizing five key aspects. He also examined national economic development in the first quarter of this year, and conducted an in-depth analysis on structural problems that have emerged in economic recovery. Zhu was confident in China’s capability to identify and seize opportunities amidst the crisis, creating innovations in volatile and ever-changing circumstances. Under this premise, China is expected to achieve sound economic development in the year of 2021 with bright prospects for reform and opening-up during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

The participants listened to the speeches intently and engaged in in-depth interactions and exchanges on related topics. Staff from the Economic Consulting Center of SIC attended the Seminar.