WOLFSBURG, Germany, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and German auto companies on Friday explored ways of boosting cooperation during a period of profound global transformation and fierce competition in the industry.
The 10th German-Chinese Automotive Congress was held here on Friday, attended by some 600 representatives from China and Germany.
The automotive industry, including its suppliers and technology sectors, is undergoing one of the biggest and most rapid transformation processes in its history, according to Olaf Lies, Minister-President of Lower Saxony state.
A wide range of factors are driving this transformation, including electrification, vehicle digitalization, artificial intelligence in manufacturing and in vehicles themselves, and autonomous driving, Lies said, adding that the congress sends a strong signal that cooperation between Germany and China should be deepened.
In the auto industry's current climate, it is very important that German and Chinese companies maintain dialogue and establish reliable and solid partnerships, said Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Technology.
Meanwhile, Liu Minqiang, Director-General of the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce, said that competition is not detrimental for the automotive industry when transformation is speeding up.
Rather, it contributes to the upgrading of the industry and plays a positive role in providing customers with better products and services, Liu said, urging companies to focus on improving their technologies, products and services.
Lin Dong, Consul General of China in Hamburg, added that cooperation between Chinese and German auto companies has now gone beyond the conventional domain of complete vehicle production, expanding to areas including batteries, intelligent connection and technological innovations.
The Automotive Congress was held in the wake of the International Suppliers Fair, which kicked off in Wolfsburg on Tuesday. A total of 45 Chinese automotive suppliers were present at the fair. ■
