As the year draws to a close, China Media Group (CMG) released its list of the top ten domestic and international news stories of 2024 on December 29. Among them, China's annual production of new energy vehicles exceeding 10 million units, alongside significant events such as Chang'e-6's lunar sample return and the launch of the "Dream" submersible, was highlighted as one of the top ten domestic news stories under the theme "Innovation Leading China to New Heights".

In 2024, China officially surpassed the 10 million mark in annual new energy vehicle production, becoming the first country to achieve this milestone. To commemorate this historic achievement, a special event titled "China's 10 Million New Energy Vehicles Milestone Achievement" was held in Wuhan, Hubei, on November 14, 2024, as part of the "Special Action for the Upward Development of Chinese Auto Brands". Hosted by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers under the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the event featured the simultaneous rollout of a new Dongfeng VOYAH ZHIYIN and ten new energy vehicles from leading Chinese automakers.

Fu Bingfeng, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, stated at the event, "This marks a significant step towards transforming China from a large automotive country into a powerful one. It signifies a new milestone in the history of the automotive industry, demonstrating that China's new energy vehicle industry has reached new heights and entered a phase of high-quality development, embodying the development of new productive forces."

Innovation Leadership

All automotive professionals have collectively erected a new monument of achievement.

Looking back, China's new energy vehicle industry has traversed a challenging yet remarkable journey, progressing from the initial "Ten Cities and Thousand Vehicles" program in 2009 to annual production and sales exceeding one million units in 2018, five million units in 2022, and finally surpassing ten million units in 2024. This rapid growth underscores the industry's unique development path and unprecedented accomplishments.

The underlying factor, as succinctly summarized by CMG, is "innovation leadership".

In recent years, China has made significant breakthroughs in key new energy vehicle technologies. From achieving a ternary battery cell energy density of 300 Wh/kg in mass production to motors with peak power densities exceeding 10 kW/kg and speeds over 20,000 rpm, to the accelerating adoption of 800V silicon carbide electric drives and 5C ultra-fast charging, the average electricity consumption of pure electric passenger vehicles for every 100 kilometers is nearing the planned target of 12 kWh. China continues to lead the way in new energy vehicle technology.

The self-controllable capabilities of the industrial chain have steadily improved. China has established a competitive edge in "three electrifications" (batteries, motors, and electronic controls) technology, with smart cockpits and intelligent driving applications reaching international advanced levels. Mainstream automakers have integrated large language models into vehicles and mass-produced "end-to-end" high-level intelligent assisted driving systems. Domestic high-performance chips, millimeter-wave radars, and central computing platforms have also made breakthroughs and are increasingly being installed in vehicles, pushing boundaries in uncharted territories.

As Xin Guobin, member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, noted in his speech at the event, "The production and sales of 10 million new energy vehicles in China in 2024 is a historically significant moment, the culmination of concerted efforts by Chinese auto brands such as BYD, Dongfeng, SAIC, Geely, and Li Auto."

The success of new energy vehicles is inseparable from pioneering enterprises that continuously introduce products favored by global consumers and provide technologies and services aligned with new market trends and demands. In 2023, 16 out of the top 20 global new energy vehicle sales were from Chinese brands.

From a High Starting Point

Blowing the Horn for a New Expedition

China accounts for nearly 70% of global new energy vehicle sales, over 65% of global battery electric vehicle installations, and domestic sales of new energy vehicles have exceeded 50% for consecutive months, with over 12 million charging piles in use. Standing at the new milestone of annual production of 10 million units, China's new energy vehicle industry delivered a series of inspiring and encouraging achievements in 2024.

Liu Yan, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, remarked at the 2024 China's 10 Million New Energy Vehicles Milestone Achievement event that it was a tribute to the pioneering spirit and alternative development paths of China's new energy vehicles. It also showcased the transformation and development achievements of industry enterprises represented by Dongfeng Motor Corporation, serving as a clarion call to encourage the automotive industry to embrace its mission of becoming a powerful automotive nation and embark on a new journey.

Amidst rapid global changes and a thriving new round of technological and industrial revolutions, the technology, products, models, and ecosystems of the global automotive industry are undergoing significant transformations. The industry must continue to innovate and cooperate more broadly to address challenges and share achievements.

Industry insiders emphasize that while China's position in global industrial and supply chains is stable, it must remain vigilant, continuously improve industrial capabilities, strengthen infrastructure and supporting capabilities, and enhance talent cultivation to further solidify industrial and supply chain strengths. Additionally, new energy vehicles must invest more in technological innovation, promote battery iteration and upgrading, extend driving range and battery life, enhance low-temperature adaptability, and reduce range anxiety to consolidate and expand their industry leadership.

Moving Upwards and Forward

Let the World See Chinese Autos

2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China and the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's important instruction that "the development of new energy vehicles is the only way for China to transition from being a large automotive country to a powerful one".

This year also marks the fourth year of the "Special Action for the Upward Development of Chinese Auto Brands" with the theme "Seeing Chinese Autos". Organized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, guided by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, and participated in by mainstream automakers, the action aims to enhance the overall influence of Chinese autos and usher in a new era of collaborative progress among Chinese brands. Over the past four years, it has become an exclusive IP within the automotive industry, visiting over ten automotive enterprises, documenting growth stories, witnessing milestones, and showcasing the image and strength of Chinese auto brands.

In 2024, the "Seeing Chinese Autos" action held three specially planned events: a celebration of the 75th anniversary of New China and a "National Cars Salute National Gates" activity, the "SAIC Motor New Energy Technology Conference" showcasing China's new energy vehicle technological heritage, and the 2024 China's 10 Million New Energy Vehicles Milestone Achievement event. Additionally, the action visited FAW Jiefang, participated in the "Chery Design Day", and traveled along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway with 212 to showcase China's automotive achievements and empower auto enterprise brand communication.

In the new year, "Seeing Chinese Autos" will continue to accompany the industry, inviting more outstanding automakers and leading enterprises in core technological fields to participate, presenting the achievements and strengths of China's entire automotive industry chain brands, allowing users, the market, and the world to "see" Chinese autos.

Join "Seeing Chinese Autos" in 2025 and embark on a new brand journey together.

Photos: Provided by enterprises

Article: Auto Trends

Typesetting: Auto Trends