In brief
At the 10th German‑Chinese Automotive Congress in Wolfsburg on October 30, Chinese and German automotive leaders discussed deepening ties amid a rapid industry transformation. Speakers called for partnerships in batteries, intelligent connectivity and technology, while noting that competition can spur industry upgrading. The congress followed the International Suppliers Fair, where 45 Chinese suppliers had already showcased their offerings.
The 10th German‑Chinese Automotive Congress opened in Wolfsburg on Friday, drawing roughly 600 representatives from China and Germany to discuss new ways to boost cooperation as the global automotive industry faces intense competition and swift technological change.
The event was highlighted by Olaf Lies, Lower Saxony’s Minister-President, who underscored the industry’s rapid transformation driven by electrification, vehicle digitalization, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving. He said the congress signals a strong need for deeper cooperation between German and Chinese firms.
Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Technology, stressed that maintaining dialogue and building reliable partnerships are essential in the current climate. Liu Minqiang, Director‑General of China’s Investment Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Commerce, added that competition is not detrimental when the transformation speeds up, and urged firms to focus on technology, product and service improvements.
Lin Dong, Consul General of China in Hamburg, noted that collaboration has grown beyond complete vehicle production, now covering batteries, intelligent connectivity and technological innovations. The congress followed the International Suppliers Fair, which began on Tuesday in Wolfsburg and hosted 45 Chinese automotive suppliers.
While no eyewitness stories punctuated the event, the gathering underscored a shared vision of mutual growth and technological advancement across borders.