Mercedes-Benz will continue to update its internal combustion engine technology, and in 2027 it will also launch a series of models equipped with new internal combustion engines. "
"The Hyundai Group has re-established an engine design office with a capacity of 150~200 people for the development of new internal combustion engines. "
"Toyota executives announce that they will continue to develop internal combustion engine ......"
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Recently, foreign traditional car companies have thrown out the argument of "resisting" electrification, all of which emphasize the need to continue to adhere to the development of traditional power systems. This seemingly "retrospective" approach has aroused widespread attention and heated discussions from the outside world.
Why are traditional car companies so "resistant" to electrification?
The key reason is that the rise of China's new energy vehicle companies in recent years has brought them great pressure. A set of data can be seen: in 2023, China's new energy vehicle production and sales will exceed 9.5 million units, accounting for more than 60% of the global market share, which can be described as a well-deserved "heavyweight".
In terms of product strength and technical strength, China's new energy vehicle companies are also showing their leading position everywhere. For example, NIO is at the leading level in the industry in core technologies such as motors and battery management systems; The ideal one-piece aluminum alloy body structure is the world's leading; Nezha Automobile has reached the height of "the strongest in the industry" in terms of semiconductor computing power.
In the face of strong squeeze from China, foreign traditional car companies have felt great pressure to survive. Mercedes-Benz, for example, accounted for only 11% of its electric vehicle sales in Europe last year, and even if hybrid models are included, the proportion is only about 19%. This means that fuel vehicles are still the main force, and for these car companies that rely heavily on internal combustion engine technology, the full transformation is undoubtedly a difficult process.
On the other hand, the reason why foreign car companies "resist" electrification is also related to their choice of technical route in the development of new energy. Automakers such as Hyundai and Toyota are more optimistic about the development prospects of fuel cells and other alternative power systems, so they plan to continue to invest in internal combustion engine technology. For example, Hyundai has mastered the technology related to the "in-cylinder direct injection hydrogen engine", which is expected to significantly reduce the cost of use and achieve large-scale mass production.
The so-called "boycott" of foreign car companies is not simply saying "no" to electrification upgrades, but more out of consideration and helplessness of the company's own interests. After all, on this new track, the development of Chinese car companies has left it far behind, whether it is technology, product power or the right to speak in the industrial chain, they already have an absolute advantage.
For foreign car companies that rely on internal combustion engine technology for long-term survival, the comprehensive transformation to electrification is undoubtedly a difficult process. However, it is precisely because of the rise of China's new energy vehicle companies that they have to "mess up" on this road. In the short term, it is difficult to fundamentally reverse this situation. However, in the long run, the pace of China's new energy vehicle development has been unstoppable, and foreign car companies ultimately need to seek breakthroughs and actions on this track.
Although foreign car companies have some hesitation and resistance to the current stage of electrification transformation, this cannot stop the determination and momentum of China's new energy vehicle development. On the contrary, in this field, Chinese car companies are writing a glorious chapter in the new era of automobiles with their own innovation capabilities and industrial strength.
The rapid rise of China's new energy vehicle companies is due to the continuous development and progress of the entire industrial chain. For a long time, key core technologies such as batteries, motors, and on-board operating systems have been firmly controlled by foreign giants. But now, local Chinese companies have made breakthroughs in these areas and are gradually gaining the right to speak.
Taking battery technology as an example, China has become a global leader in batteries. In 2022, China's battery shipments will already account for nearly 60% of the global market. In the fields of battery system integration and battery management algorithms, Chinese enterprises have also been at the international leading level.
The same is true for automotive operating systems, which have been widely used in domestic models and have become an important starting point for China's new energy vehicle companies to build soft power. In the future, models equipped with domestic operating systems will become more and more popular, helping to promote intelligent networking as a distinctive feature of China's new energy vehicles.
In addition to breakthroughs in core technologies, China's new energy vehicle companies are also catching up with and surpassing the world's advanced level in terms of vehicle product strength. Sedans, SUVs, pickups and other types of electric vehicles have been launched one after another, and the product matrix has been continuously expanded; The power consumption of the battery per 100 kilometers continues to decline, and the energy consumption and mileage of the whole vehicle are leading the world; With the blessing of human-computer interaction and intelligent networking, the sense of technology and interconnection experience are also better.
With the dual support of product strength and technological strength, the global competitiveness of China's new energy vehicle companies is increasing day by day. In 2023, the export volume of Chinese brand electric vehicles in overseas markets increased by more than 120% year-on-year, starting a new journey to the world. At the same time, the rapid development of the domestic market is also unstoppable, and the above data has fully illustrated this.
The rapid improvement of the industrial chain is inseparable from the strong support of government policies. In recent years, China has introduced a number of incentive policies in terms of driving and purchase restrictions, purchase tax exemptions, etc., which have created great benefits for consumers to purchase new energy vehicles and boosted the vigorous development of the new energy vehicle market.
People's increasing attention to the concept of environmental protection and green travel has also injected strong impetus into the development of China's new energy vehicle companies. In the future, China's new energy vehicle market will continue to soar and have broader and infinite possibilities.
The general trend of industry development has been doomed, at the critical node of transformation, China's new energy vehicles are occupying the commanding heights with their own innovation capabilities and industrial strength, leading a new era of automobiles. It is showing the unlimited potential of China's intelligent manufacturing to the world with a new look.