At the 22nd China Automotive Industry Development (TEDA) International Forum held in Tianjin on September 17–20, experts agreed that the sector is moving from policy-driven growth to a "market + technology" dual-engine model, with the next competitive battleground being breakthroughs in core technologies and a voice in global rules.
On September 19, MIIT chief engineer Wang Weiming laid out the policy focus: strengthening enterprises as the main body of innovation and concentrating on automotive chips, all-solid-state batteries, operating systems and autonomous-driving foundation models. The ministry will launch a special campaign to upgrade auto standards and establish a "digital battery passport" system for power batteries to steer the industry upward through standards.
CATARC general manager Gong Jinfeng noted that in January–August 2026 NEV sales exceeded 10.65 million units with a 52.4% penetration rate; L2 combined driver-assistance penetration on passenger cars reached 70.5%, and the first L3 conditional-automation models are running in designated areas. January–July auto exports hit 6.41 million units, up 54% year on year, with full-year exports on track to top 10 million. CATARC chief scientist Wang Fang said semi-solid batteries have surpassed 400 Wh/kg and all-solid-state R&D is advancing toward 500 Wh/kg, with a 19-item solid-state testing standard system already formed.
Analysts said this year's forum tone shifted from "encouraging scale" to "attacking hard problems"—chips, solid-state cells, foundation models and standards—marking a new phase where China competes for technology leadership and global rule-setting rather than volume alone.
Source: Xinhua Auto / Sohu Auto / Gasgoo
