New-energy vehicles win at the starting line with "intelligent manufacturing."

As the manufacturing sector with the longest supply chain, widest coverage, and strongest economic ripple effect, the automotive industry reflects a nation's overall manufacturing strength. On November 14, China’s annual production of new-energy vehicles surpassed 10 million units for the first time. Behind this remarkable rise lies the indispensable support of "hard power" — advanced intelligent manufacturing in the automotive industry. Indeed, smart manufacturing plants have become the standard configuration for automakers aiming to launch innovative products and seize market opportunities. It is reported that, to ensure mass production of its flagship model, JAC Group has invested heavily in building a world-class, benchmark smart factory in Feixi. Meanwhile, Changan Automobile has teamed up with Huawei and China Unicom to create a cutting-edge digital and intelligent factory, dedicated to delivering the premium quality of Avatr 07. Even Xiaomi’s own car factory has been actively welcoming foreign visitors for tours over the past few days. Not to mention that automakers like Seres and BYD are aggressively expanding their presence in the smart manufacturing space through acquisitions and facility upgrades.

Analysts at Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute pointed out that the "hard power" of intelligent automotive manufacturing has helped my country's new energy vehicle industry stand out on the global stage and has become the foundation for automakers to win in the fierce market competition. Today, a new round of technological revolution is emerging globally, with new technologies such as the internet, big data, and artificial intelligence accelerating innovation and integrating across industries. New industries, new models, and new business formats are emerging. As the automotive industry undergoes a major transformation unseen in a century, the industry's innovation chain, supply chain, and value chain, along with its ecosystem, are being reshaped.

Fu Yuwu, Honorary Chairman of the Society of Automotive Engineers of China and Chairman of the Huaqi Foundation, once stated in a speech: "The automotive industry, characterized by a long industrial chain and high degree of integration, has been a pioneering industry in every scientific and technological revolution and is undergoing a transformation and upgrade towards green, low-carbon, intelligent, connected, and smart manufacturing." Throughout the automotive industry's development from the 1.0 era to the 4.0 era, the focus has continuously shifted at each stage. Relevant data shows that in the 1.0 era, when automobiles were first developed and refined, the industry focused primarily on structural design. The 2.0 era focused on comfort and power, and the 3.0 era focused on platform-based modular production, aiming to significantly improve vehicle safety and affordability. Today, the 4.0 era focuses on green, low-carbon development and intelligent connectivity, placing a greater emphasis on digital and intelligent manufacturing.

Fu Yuwu further pointed out that digital transformation is currently supporting the upgrade of intelligent manufacturing. This transformation will enable the manufacturing industry to further achieve low-cost, high-efficiency, and customized development, and will further permeate every aspect of product design, manufacturing, and service. For automotive manufacturing, this will achieve a comprehensive leap across the entire supply chain, including advanced manufacturing technology and intelligent equipment, digital-enabled technologies and industrial software, and sales and service. In 2023, global new energy vehicle sales reached a new high of 14.653 million units, a year-on-year increase of 35.4%, and a market penetration rate of approximately 17%. In that same year, China's new energy vehicle production and sales accounted for over 60% of global totals, ranking first in global production and sales for nine consecutive years. It's clear that as the global new energy vehicle market enters a new phase of rapid development, my country's new energy vehicle industry has taken a leading position. Earlier, Changan Automobile President Wang Jun stated at the 2024 ESG Global Leaders Conference that "China's new energy vehicle industry has become a key development direction for the global automotive industry." Notably, this is inseparable from the power of "intelligent manufacturing." Today, the deep integration of new-generation information technology and green, low-carbon technologies across the automotive industry is reshaping the automotive intelligent manufacturing system. As the new energy vehicle industry rapidly advances, so too is the growing involution of competition. Whether it's "sharpening a sword three times" or "sharpening three swords a year," automakers' external rhetoric consistently reveals their determination to seize market share with their products.

In fact, behind every hit new energy vehicle is the company's intelligent manufacturing plant, which has become the foundation of their strategic layout. On November 26th, the Zunjie S800 officially debuted at the Huawei Mate Brand Ceremony. As the first model of the high-end brand "Zunjie," jointly developed by JAC Motors Group and Huawei, this million-dollar ultra-luxury smart electric executive sedan is hailed as the culmination of Huawei's Hongmeng Intelligent Mobility initiative. It's reported that ultra-luxury executive sedans demand stringent quality standards and are synonymous with rigorous craftsmanship, meticulous workmanship, and exceptional performance. Industry experts believe the Zunjie S800 vividly illustrates the transformation of China's automotive industry, and indeed "Made in China," from scale to strength.

The world-class benchmark smart factory that ensures Zunjie's mass production integrates digital R&D, green and low-carbon intelligent manufacturing, and brand experience services. Earlier, Changan Automobile, in partnership with China Unicom and Huawei, officially opened its Digital Factory on October 21st. This Digital Factory represents Changan Automobile's largest investment, highest level of intelligence, and most advanced process equipment in its new energy vehicle manufacturing base. It integrates ultra-high flexibility and automation, full-scenario digital twins, full 5G connectivity, cutting-edge technology, and green and low-carbon features, making it a fully 5G, digital, and AI-powered flexible manufacturing super factory.

In October of this year, 10,056 Avitas were delivered, a year-on-year increase of 158.6%, achieving its best sales performance in three years. Changan Automobile stated that the launch of the Avita 07 and the extended-range model was the catalyst for the significant sales surge. The first vehicle to roll off the production line of the aforementioned Changan Digital Intelligent Factory was the Avita 07. It can be said that the Avita 07's performance and brand are fully guaranteed.

According to this, the Chongqing Seres Gigafactory features over 1,000 intelligent devices, over 3,000 robots working together intelligently, and 100% automation of key processes. Using intelligent production, two new energy vehicles can roll off the production line every minute. "Porsche's factory is definitely not as good as JAC's," NIO founder Li Bin once trended on social media. Little did people know, this revolution in intelligent manufacturing has quietly swept the automotive industry. New car manufacturers that have previously entered the new energy vehicle industry, such as NIO, Xpeng, and Ideal, have already been at the forefront of intelligent manufacturing. For example, Ideal Auto's Beijing Green Smart Manufacturing Base, formerly a former factory at Beijing Hyundai's Plant 1, now houses four major workshops: stamping, welding, painting, and final assembly. These four major workshops all utilize internationally advanced, environmentally friendly, and efficient production processes. Leveraging digital twin technology, Ideal Auto is focusing on intelligent manufacturing to create its flagship factory. This is Ideal Auto's second modern intelligent manufacturing base to officially commence production, following its Changzhou base.

The GAC Aion Smart Eco-Factory was selected by the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network at Davos, becoming the only such "Lighthouse Factory" in the world for new energy vehicles. The factory currently produces models for the Haobo and Aion brands. According to official data, my country has cultivated 421 national-level intelligent manufacturing demonstration factories and built over 10,000 provincial-level digital workshops and smart factories.

While the automotive industry's key to sales is being dominated by new technologies, new products, and innovative marketing strategies, the automotive industry's core strength and commitment as a manufacturing sector cannot be overlooked. These intelligent manufacturing factories represent the global trends and future direction of new energy vehicle manufacturing.

Gasgoo has learned that as industry competition intensifies, the elimination of outdated production capacity that can't keep pace with the times is inevitable. Meanwhile, some leading automakers are making long-term preparations for ensuring production safety and stability and implementing their overall business strategies. For example, SERES is acquiring ownership of a Gigafactory through an acquisition. On the evening of November 26th, SERES announced its intention to acquire 100% of Longsheng New Energy from Chongqing Industrial Fund, Liangjiang Investment Group, and Liangjiang Industrial Group through a share issuance. The transaction price is 816,395,200 yuan.

Longsheng New Energy is reportedly the implementing entity for the infrastructure supporting project of the Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industrial Park in Longxing New City, Liangjiang New District. It is a project company established specifically to serve the production of new energy vehicles. Its primary assets are the land, real estate, infrastructure, and related supporting facilities required for the production of new energy vehicles. Prior to this transaction, SERES leased the Gigafactory from Longsheng New Energy to produce its "Wenjie" series of smart electric vehicles. If the transaction is completed, Longsheng New Energy will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of SERES, and SERES will acquire ownership of the Gigafactory. AITO Wenjie is SERES' core brand and has long accounted for the majority of SERES sales. To date, SERES's Wenjie brand has launched three models: the Wenjie M5 (configuration | inquiry), the Wenjie M7, and the Wenjie M9 (configuration | inquiry). The AITO Wenjie M9 will begin production and launch at the Gigafactory in early 2024. BYD, the leading new energy vehicle manufacturer, is also actively expanding its intelligent manufacturing footprint.

On November 20th, BYD announced it would continue to increase its investment in Shenzhen, signing a contract with the Shenzhen-Shantou Special Cooperation Zone to build the fourth phase of the Shenzhen-Shantou BYD Automotive Industrial Park. The Shenzhen-Shantou Special Cooperation Zone has established a "one core, three supporting" industrial development strategy, with the new energy vehicle industry as its primary focus, supplemented by new energy storage, new materials, and intelligent manufacturing equipment. Nearly 30 leading industry players have already been attracted to the zone. It's worth noting that intelligent manufacturing, the next frontier for high-quality development in the automotive industry, is particularly prominent in the power battery industry chain—a core component of new energy vehicles. As the power battery industry enters the TWh era, large-scale battery applications are placing higher demands on production and manufacturing. Battery companies such as CATL, BYD, Honeycomb Energy, and Guoxuan High-tech are already embracing intelligent manufacturing as a key to success.

Reprinted from Sina Auto

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