Ren Zhengfei, the esteemed leader of Huawei, stands as a towering figure in China's technology landscape. Under his stewardship, Huawei has left an indelible mark on consumer electronics, automobiles, chips, and beyond. Despite his reclusive nature and public absence, his legend looms large in the business world, inspiring numerous entrepreneurs and startups to seek his wisdom.

Over the past six months, I've observed an intriguing trend: three prominent figures from the automotive sector have made the pilgrimage to Shenzhen to meet with Ren Zhengfei. These encounters were marked by insightful discussions on business management and the promotion of collaboration. Each visitor emerged with a shared photo and glowing praise for Ren Zhengfei, emphasizing the immense value they derived from these interactions. What, then, is the significance of this influx of automotive leaders to Huawei's top executive, who does not manufacture cars?

First, there's He Xiaopeng, the visionary behind XPeng Motors. In February, he tweeted, "Today, I had the honor of learning from Mr. Ren! His selflessness, wisdom, and profound insights into technology, business, culture, and governance were truly inspiring." He Xiaopeng's admiration for Ren Zhengfei is evident, and he clearly gained invaluable advice for guiding XPeng Motors. Notably, He Xiaopeng mentioned "selflessness," underscoring Ren Zhengfei's generosity despite the competitive nature of their respective technologies, such as HarmonyOS Intelligent Driving.

This episode underscores the mindset of top entrepreneurs: in business, there are no permanent enemies, only evolving interests. Recently, XPeng and Huawei Kunlun collaborated on the "Chasing Light Panorama," delivering an innovative AR-HUD solution to be first introduced in the XPeng G7. Looking back, the AEB dispute seems more like a minor hiccup in a broader story of mutual respect and collaboration.

Next, Feng Xingya, the helmsman of GAC Group, visited Ren Zhengfei on July 1. He tweeted, "Yesterday, I visited Mr. Ren Zhengfei to discuss automotive trends, marketing innovation, customer insights, and cooperation. Mr. Ren's wisdom and foresight are invaluable, and we eagerly await the launch of our first collaborative product." Feng Xingya's focus on cooperative projects highlights the strategic importance of his visit, signaling a strong alliance between GAC Group and Huawei.

GAC Group confirmed that Huawei Auto will integrate the strengths of both companies to create high-end products priced at 300,000 yuan. This cooperation, initiated last November, aims to create a new high-end intelligent EV brand, embodying a unique "Huawei intelligence + GAC intelligence manufacturing" model.

Lastly, Zhu Huarong, the leader of "New Changan," visited Ren Zhengfei on July 29, shortly after taking the helm. He tweeted, "Yesterday, I visited Mr. Ren Zhengfei to discuss industrial and future competition. His vision, mindset, wisdom, and passion deeply impressed us. I also thank leaders like Xu Zhijun and Yu Chengdong for their support." Zhu Huarong's discussions with Ren Zhengfei were macro-focused, providing strategic guidance for Changan Automobile and AITO. His interactions with Xu Zhijun and Yu Chengdong, however, delved into the micro-level, emphasizing cooperation implementation.

Interestingly, Zhu Huarong also serves as vice chairman of Huawei's independent automotive unit "Yinwang," funded by AITO. His visit thus served a dual purpose: deepening AITO-Huawei cooperation and advancing the broader goals of "New Changan."