BEIJING, Apr. 27 (APP): Record-breaking batteries that can power up to 1000km range, world’s first hydrogen-fueled extended range vehicles, industry’s first neural network-based planning/control large model… an assortment of disruptive technologies dazzle visitors’ eye at the ongoing international auto exhibition held in Beijing.
The amount of innovation in China is driving global cooperation and pushing the auto industry forward, a Global Product Manager of the Germany-based Casco Automotive Group told China Economic Net (CEN) at the biennial auto exhibition.
Themed Driving to smart mobility, the grand event witnesses the display of 117 global premieres, 41 concept vehicles, and 278 types of NEVs this year. The auto parts zone alone has gathered nearly 500 companies from 13 countries.
NEVs, unsurprisingly, took the center stage. Over 60% of the debut cars globally are powered by green energy, amid China rapid, committed transition to greener economy. In the first half of April, over half of passenger vehicles sold in China were NEVs, surpassing conventional fuel vehicles for the first time.
The world has been waking up to the fact that not only are the Chinese brands coming, but they are expanding very quickly and getting somewhere where consumers are turning their preference to them, Johan Annell, Partner and General Manager Beijing of advisory firm ARC Group.
As per the projection of CMC Auto Import & Export, over 40% of the vehicles exported from China would be NEVs in 2024 with the total auto exports up by 15%-20% to 6 million units.
Looking forward, there is a lot left in the US and Europe to increase adoption. In the emerging markets, too, some are leapfrogging, Johan Annell said, adding that Southeast Asia could be the next top destination for auto investment and cooperation.
A London-based anonymous auto designer for a China-UK joint venture told CEN that the competence of Chinese brands is making the European markets and the manufacturers wake up and go for higher quality and lower prices. The bar should not be lowered in the name of anti-subsidy probe to meet everyone else.
In the last few years, emerging Chinese brands like Neo, BYD, XPeng, etc. are reaching international levels and even higher. We have to really think our standards need to go up as well, he said.
ISLAMABAD, Apr 27 (APP): Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has extended warmest congratulations to the people of Pakistan, especially those in Sindh and their esteemed democratic institutions on the momentous occasion of the Sindh Assembly commemorating 87 years of its parliamentary journey.
According to a press release issued from the Media Cell Bilawal House on Saturday, he remarked that the inaugural session of the Sindh Legislative Assembly was convened on April 27, 1937.
He emphasized the enduring legacy of democratic perseverance, noting that even prior to the formation of Pakistan, our forefathers steadfastly championed democratic ideals.
Highlighting the pivotal role of Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto in the inception of the first Sindh Assembly, he lamented that a conspiracy deprived him of participation in its maiden session.
“Despite the concerted efforts to sideline his party, both Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto and Sir Abdullah Haroon’s party secured a majority in the Sindh Assembly. However, despite this majority, Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto’s party was denied the opportunity to form the government. Instead, the then Governor extended the invitation to a party with merely three members in the House, disregarding the mandate of the majority party,” he pointed out.
Bilawal Bhutto reiterated that despite facing numerous conspiracies and injustices, our predecessors remained steadfast in their commitment to fortifying democratic institutions.
He emphasized that the annals of his party’s history are replete with a relentless struggle to bolster democracy and its institutions, spanning from the pre-partition era to the present day.
BEIJING, Apr. 27 (APP): The Chinese market is central to the transformation of the Audi brand into a leading global provider of premium electric mobility. With the opening of the new factory in Changchun, locally developed electric models, and state-of-the-art digital technology tailored to users’ requirements, we are putting our plan for continued success into action, Gernot Dollner, CEO of Audi, stated at the news conference of 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.
The German auto giant is showcasing its strategy and all-electric portfolio for the world’s largest automotive market. Highlights include the Audi Q6L e-tron, which is the first production models on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). Only all-electric vehicles will be showcased at the booth, as both Audi joint ventures in China are bringing models tailored to the Chinese market’s specific requirements, China Economic Net (CEN) reported.
Audi FAW NEV Company will start production of three PPE-based models of the Audi Q6 e-tron and Audi A6 e-tron families for the Chinese market before the end of 2024. Pre-series production at the new plant has already begun.
Another German giant, Mercedes-Benz, would not yield an inch as well. On the heels of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to China two weeks ago, German automakers are ramping up their efforts here, as evidenced by an exhilarating presentation by Mercedes-Benz.
The company’s presence at the AutoChina2024 is led by the all-new electric G-Class and the Concept CLA Class, a fleet consisting of one world-premiere model, seven China-premiere models, and eight models that are ready to hit the market, among which Maybach EQS SUV is the first fully electric model of the top-end luxury brand.
China is the most dynamic new energy vehicle market, country chief Hubertus Troska said at the press conference on April 25, echoed by Chief Executive Ola Kaellenius, “You have to be here and you have to be part of that innovation cycle. We have been steadily growing our partner group and will continue to do so. And Mercedes-Benz China sales chief Duan Jianjun noted that he hoped the new electric models the German automaker brought to the show would put to rest rumours that the company had given up on electrification.
As for the sports car manufacturer Porsche, it is firmly underscoring its In China, for China’s strategy at the show with a special China version of the new-generation Taycan, the market premiere of the all-electric Macan.
Last year, some 79,283 cars were delivered to customers in China. This corresponds to a 25 percent share of Porsche’s global deliveries in the 2023 financial year. Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche, sees further potential, Electromobility is developing rapidly in China. It’s fascinating to see. With our Chinese version of the new Taycan and our first all-electric Macan, we are pushing forwards here at just the right time. I am certain that we will once again inspire our customers and further expand our position in the luxury BEV vehicle segment.
All examples show that global auto giants are addressing the individual wishes and needs of the Chinese market in a very targeted manner-and also with the involvement of their own R&D organization across China, where Chinese and foreign developers are working side by side on the future of automobile industry, in mixed teams.
RIYADH, Apr 27 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday arrived in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to participate in a special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ‘Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development’, being held from April 28-29.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Waleed Al Khareeji, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and embassy staff received the prime minister and his delegation at the Riyadh Royal airport.
The prime minister was invited to attend the WEF meeting by Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab.
“The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high level delegation including Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The Prime Minister and the Ministers will participate in WEF discussions on issues related to trade and investment measures, new investment frameworks, restructuring of supply chains, sustainable growth, and the energy landscape,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.
The high level participation in the Forum will afford an important opportunity to present Pakistan’s priorities specifically in global health architecture, inclusive growth, revitalizing regional collaboration and the need for striking a balance between promoting growth and energy consumption. On the margins of the main event, the prime minister and his delegation will hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, including the Saudi leadership, heads of international organizations, and other prominent figures participating in the event. About 1,000 leaders from business, government, and academia will participate in the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development, WEF said in a press statement.
The meeting, April 28–29, will focus on new pathways to reinvigorate growth globally amid the challenges posed by an increasingly fragmented geopolitical and economic environment. It will revolve around three themes: revitalizing global collaboration; a compact for inclusive growth; and catalyzing action on energy for development, it was added. The event bridges the growing North-South divide, which has further widened on issues such as emerging economic policies, the energy transition, and geopolitical shocks.
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