9.23.2014

China in 2025 and Implications for the Automotive Industry: Part 2

Plausible Scenarios for China in 2025


Urbanized world

China has gone through rapid urbanization over the past few decades, with urban population share rising from 17.9% in 1978 to 53.7% in 2013.  City clusters such as Beijing-Tianjin, Shanghai and Guangzhou are home to 18% of China’s population and generate 36% of the nation’s GDP.  Cities are the main engines of China’s unparalleled economic growth in the past few decades.  Nonetheless, the development is highly unbalanced with urbanization rates of 62% in the coastal regions, but only 44%-48% further inland.

The urbanization momentum will continue, on a size and scale never before experienced in history.  By 2025, 65% of Chinese citizens will live in high-density urban population centers. This will no doubt place significant stress on the environment as well as the urban transportation infrastructure, which is already struggling to keep up with the current urban population.  While limits placed on car registrations has limited growth rates in the more mature coastal tier 1 and tier 2 cities, China’s automotive industry will continue to expand with a steady stream of first time purchasers from lower-tier cities joining the repeat buyers and upgraders of the more mature regions.   Emergence of the less developed lower-tier regions will be the key driver to incremental demand for personal mobility.

Demand for mobility solutions will need to anticipate the emergence of a more “binary” market with consumers in the more mature upper-tier cities continuing to prefer globally recognized brands, while those from lower-tier cities will seek no-frills products and solutions from brands that deliver “the greatest bang for their RMB”.  This presents unique opportunities for both foreign and domestic manufacturers. 

Figure 2:  China 2025 Scenarios:  Urbanized World

Possible 2025 scenarios
Implication to automakers
·       Emerging from China’s lower-tier region, a Chinese automaker has become the first to sell 1M cars in overseas markets, and they are commonly called ‘the Chinese Hyundai”.  Chinese OEMs are now competing in the EU and North America
·       To secure long-term growth, automakers must strengthen offerings in the entry-level segment
·       Leverage China as the base to develop entry-level models for export to other developing markets
·       Having successfully penetrated China’s lower-tier markets with cars engineered in China, automakers are selling “Engineered in China” cars in the global markets
·       To expand the market, auto loan penetration reaches 50% in China and financing becomes a critical lever for growth, particularly with younger, budget-conscious buyers.
·       Leverage automotive financing as a platform to sell a full range of mobility services


Domestic brands are more popular among lower-tier cities consumers as they penetrate the market with lower-priced cars “good enough” to meet their mobility needs.  Chinese automakers could continue to serve this base by leveraging their low-cost advantage improving their product safety and quality performance.  International OEMs must also seize the opportunity to develop competitive entry-level models and no-frills platforms tailored for the Chinese market, while subsequently leveraging such “Engineered in China” offerings to penetrate other developing markets.


New mobility solutions

Today, China has 14 cities with more than 10 million residents.  This number will perhaps double by 2025.  As the home to so many densely populated urban areas, China will require unique solutions for traffic congestion, energy consumption and pollution. The privately owned, energy-intensive and people-driven cars we have today are not viable and sustainable options for future urban mobility.

By 2025, new urban mobility solutions will comprise of a mixture of public transportation, non-motorized alternatives and energy-efficient personal transportation solutions.  Innovations in technology, business models and regulation will come together to disrupt the automotive industry.  We anticipate a number of discontinuities:

Innovative car use model

In an effort to rebalance supply of transportation solutions with demand for mobility, we believe a car ownership model will gradually migrate to a “pay per use” service model.  This migration can be significantly accelerated with regulatory intervention forcing higher usage charges on those who choose to own vehicles. 

By 2025, a pay-per-use model will emerge as a preferred option for providing personal mobility in populous urban areas.  On the one hand, the China government will continue to regulate new car registrations through tax or quota to limit the growth of private car ownership in large urban areas to within 1% per year.  On the other hand, high fuel prices, parking and traffic congestion charges will make private vehicle ownership less economical and therefore less attractive.

A technology-enabled intelligent model will supplant traditional car leasing and rental companies’ asset-heavy offline model.  This will confer advantages and pave the way for internet-powered “mobility services” companies to emerge in the market.  Moreover, person–to-person (P2P) car sharing will position platform companies at the center of the eco-system, connecting online and offline activities through advanced mobile technology.  As the ownership-usage model evolves, OEMs will need to partner with digital players and service providers to offer innovative products in order to maintain their market shares.


Figure 3:  China 2025 Scenarios:  New Mobility Solutions

Possible 2025 scenarios
Implication to automakers
·       Chinese internet companies vertically integrate car leasing services into their internet portals
·       Partner with innovators and internet companies to deliver “urban mobility services” for different markets
·       Alibaba successfully builds alliances with a leading Asian OEMs to develop synergies with the “Internet of Mobility”
·       Tencent has successfully acquired a recognized automotive brand


Connected “smart” cars

In big cities, driving is becoming a frustrating, time consuming chore for people who have to commute. At the same time, traffic accidents and congestion are a by-product of human driving behavior and inadequate traffic and urban infrastructure planning.  Smart connected cars will rely on telecommunication and sensor technologies to respond to vehicles, objects and people while navigating, and communicating with its passengers through their on-board telematics system.  A smart transportation system has the potential to eliminate accidents, increase the capacity of existing road infrastructure, collect and disseminate useful real-time traffic data, and at the same time facilitate new models of vehicle ownership, increase travel time predictability, and improve productivity and energy efficiency.


Figure 4:  China 2025 Scenarios:  Connected “Smart” Cars

Possible 2025 scenarios
Implication to automakers
·       Driven by policy in tier 1 and some tier 2 cities, China has invested in building a smart transportation infrastructure and 300M “Smart Vehicles” are on the road
·       Consider leveraging China as a base platform for smart car technology development for the global markets
·       Just 17 years of age, Jasmine summons her car via her Xiaomi device, which arrives at her door step within minutes and delivers her to school, while allowing her to do her last minute revision for her Gaokao (高考) en-route
·       Invest in disruptive technologies at the intersection of automotive and internet - leveraging both organic and in-organic business development
·       “TencentCar” competes with “Apple Car Play” and “Android Auto” on user experience, network connectivity and localized content – and enjoys strong user acceptance


According to China’s Ministry of Industry & Information Technology, as a strategic focus of the national development plan, the Chinese Government will provide up to 10B RMB in subsidies to catalyze the development of “smart mobility”.


Energy Saving & New Energy Vehicles

China has become the largest world’s carbon emitter.  Big cities suffered from smog, often exceeding “hazardous” levels.  By 2025, China will become the world’s largest oil importer, spending USD500B a year on crude oil imports, 66% of which will likely be from OPEC nations.  Worsening pollution and energy security has compelled China to seriously invest in NEV and related infrastructure development.  The Government will continue EV subsidies and qualify a wider range of fuel-efficient and environmental friendly technologies.

City cars will adopt fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies, such as lightweight composite components and electric powertrains. New generations of ultra-light weight personal urban mobility (PUM) devices will become popular – designed specifically for city-use to transport 1-2 persons and light cargo over short distances. OEMs will partner with non-traditional suppliers and utility companies to complete the eco-system.

Figure 5:  China 2025 Scenarios:  Energy Saving & New Energy Vehicles

Possible 2025 scenarios
Implication to automakers
·       China’s investment in EV charging stations and smart grid construction has created the complete eco-system for “Made in China” New Energy Vehicles, which are now being exported to the US and Europe
·       Engage with Chinese partners (auto, government and infrastructure) to build the supporting ecosystem in order to make EV technology value proposition accessible in the China market
·       New generation of ultra-light weight personal urban mobility (PUM) devices are popular – designed specifically for city-use to transport 1-2 persons and light cargo over short distances
·       All taxi and bus fleets in China are fully electrified, with foreign brands excluded from the approved vendor list
·       Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicles achieve 25% share of a 40M unit market as traditional gasoline-powered cars are banned from densely populated cities



Emergence of mega-SOEs and mega-Suppliers

As we have witnessed in the time since the opening of China’s economy to foreign investment, the changes in the market have occurred rapidly, making China the engine for growth of many multi-national corporations.  However, China’s policies and industrial developments are typically implemented via investments made with government-backed State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).  While SOEs and huge investment holding companies and are often contained profitable businesses, they often lack the capabilities and entrepreneurial spirit of independent, market-driven businesses.

In the coming decade, China’s state-owned automotive OEMs and suppliers will be influenced by a new round of SOE reform led by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASSAC).  The reform will focus on diversifying ownership, adopting modern corporate governance and establishing a state-owned asset management company.  As a result, state-owned automotive OEMs and suppliers will become more efficient and market-driven, and gradual consolidation will eliminate several weaker players.  Several of these OEMs and suppliers will play an even more important role in the international market.

Meanwhile, we expect to see new entrants into the automotive ecosystem, especially innovative companies armed with disruptive technologies.  It is entirely plausible that an Internet mobility services provider becomes a major player the automotive industry by initially offering a portal to provide “mobility services”.

MNC players will need to adjust their strategies to address a competitive landscape that includes a new breed of mega-SOEs and mega-suppliers, as well as nimble Internet mobility services suppliers who aim to create a new ecosystem of personal transportation services.   Many of these services may be first incubated in China before being rolled-out to the rest of the world.


Figure 6:  China 2025 Scenarios:  Emergence of Mega-SOE’s and Mega-Suppliers

Possible 2025 scenarios
Implication to automakers
·       More efficient SOEs and innovative new entrants with preferred access to the 40M unit China market provide a platform for rapidly scaling up new transportation solutions for global deployment
·       Strike a balance of power with local SOE partners, e.g. become strategic partners to jointly exploit overseas market leveraging China as a base
·       飞马 (Fei Ma, or Flying Horse) is the top selling luxury sedan globally for the past 5 years; fully designed and crafted by skilled artisans in China, it offers unparalleled but understated luxury with strong oriental themes and innovative technologies that have become the rage of the globally mobile elite around the world


Conclusion

The discontinuities we have described are all very plausible – the key question is whether traditional auto OEMs at first recognize the potential disruptive threats, and are then willing to seize the discontinuous opportunities that may ensue.  Like Nokia and Motorola 10 years ago, auto OEMs may be facing an existential threat from new entrants from outside their traditional competitive set.  Such competitors are anxious to seize on the Chinese consumer’s rapid acceptance and adoption of mobile technology and pervasive Internet connectivity services to deliver a new ecosystem for “mobile connected car services”.  

Automotive OEMs have the complex challenge of addressing this potential for disruptive change, while simultaneously continuing to deliver better and more cost efficient products in the hyper-competitive China market.  The ability to simultaneously address these challenges will separate the ultimate winners and losers in the next decade.  The only thing that is certain is that the formula that has worked until now is no guarantee for future success.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 End of Part 2

For further discussion, please contact the authors:
Bill Russo
Managing Director,
Gao Feng Advisory Company
bill.russo@gaofengadv.com
Dr. Edward Tse
Founder and CEO,
Gao Feng Advisory Company

Chee-Kiang Lim
Principal,
Gao Feng Advisory Company
ck.lim@gaofengadv.com


Note:  The above authors wish to thank Ms. Emily Wang for her efforts in researching and summarizing the findings of this analysis.

9.22.2014

采埃孚收购天合 智能汽车大战已经打响 (ZF acquisition of TRW - Smart car war has begun)


Jiemian.com, September 15, 2014



9月15日,全球三大变速箱厂商之一的德国采埃孚股份有限公司(ZF Friedrichshafen AG)与美国天合(TRW)发布官方声明,前者以135亿美元价格收购后者,将组建全球规模第二大的零部件供应商巨头。

同日,采埃孚同德国博世签订协议,将所持采埃孚转向机公司的50%股权全部售予博世,为收购天合铺平了道路。为了避免欧盟反垄断机构的阻碍,完成收购天合,采埃孚需要出售所持采埃孚转向系统中的股份。

1999年,采埃孚同博世组建了采埃孚转向系统公司,在八个国家设有工厂,全球员工总数达1.3万多人;2013年营业收入达41.1亿欧元(约合55亿美元)。而天合集团也拥有较大规模的转向系统业务,2013年该领域营业收入达27亿美元,在其整体营收中的占比为15.5%。

2013年《美国汽车新闻》公布的全球汽车零部件配套供应商排名显示,采埃孚与天合公司分别位居第九名与第十三名。德国博世以367.87亿美元营业额连续三年位居榜首,日本电装和德国大陆集团位居其后。排名前五的供应商营业额均在300亿元以上。

以采埃孚和天合2013年的营业额计算,合并后将达到327.55亿美元。而重组后通过资源与规模整合,采埃孚与天合有望成为全球第二大规模的零部件经销商。

为了筹集收购天合资金和避免欧洲反垄断机构阻碍,将采埃孚转向机公司全部售予博世,反而使博世从中获益。博世CEO沃尔克马尔·邓纳尔在一份声明中表示:“采埃孚转向系统在不断增长的电动助力转向领域是技术领袖,而这恰恰是自动驾驶、节能环保乃至电动车的核心技术。”

但分析人士认为,与其全部收购采埃孚转向业务,博世可能更希望继续保持原有的合作关系。德国杜伊斯堡大学汽车研究中心主任Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer说:”博世因此迎来了一个不得不小心应对的业内竞争者,我不认为这(收购)是博世的优先方案。”

邓纳尔则公开表示:"我们喜欢竞争,并不担心采埃孚的‘雄心’。"

采埃孚以变速箱和传动系统为主要业务,其8速和9速自动变速箱都是目前最先进的变速箱之一。麦兹勒银行(Bankhaus Metzler)驻法兰克福的分析师皮珀(Juergen Pieper)认为:“传动装置很可能成为逐渐消亡的产业,对于一家公司来说,成为一个夕阳产业的一部分并不是件好事。“
电动汽车的快速发展,也给以变速箱生产见长的采埃孚带来冲击。

采埃孚此次收购增强了在电子器件领域的实力。采埃孚CEO 斯特凡•索默(StefanSommer)表示:收购天合公司,将有助于采埃孚抓住汽车行业发展的大趋势,例如燃油效率、安全需求以及自动驾驶等方面的技术提升。

IHS汽车咨询公司亚太区总监赵英智认为,这次收购的意义首先是生产规模的扩大。与博世、电装和大陆集团的研发实力处于同一水平,对采埃孚提高成本竞争力和创新能力至关重要。其次,这家公司成功地转向了汽车零部件的下一个快速增长领域,采埃孚意识到了在互联汽车领域占领一席之地的重要性。全面的组件集合业务也将成为下一个高利润增长领域。”天合公司生产的(以及正在开发中的)传感器技术将是这一战略的关键因素。“

高风咨询有限公司董事总经理Bill Russo说:”采埃孚此次收购天合是为了提高在移动互联网领域的实力,看中的是天合研发的自动驾驶技术(包括雷达系统和摄像技术等)。采埃孚在谷歌等科技公司可能介入之前,先一步采取了行动,试图获得天合的先进技术。“

Bill Russo还说:“这次并购意味着智能汽车技术的‘战争’已经逐渐形成,传统汽车供应商将与包括互联网巨头在内的新进入者进行竞争。”

在国内,采埃孚为ABB(奥迪、宝马、奔驰)提供技术性的生产支持,例如向ABB直接提供组装好的整个前后车桥(涵盖调校)。采埃孚和电动车商也已经展开合作,去年采埃孚获得了特斯拉颁发的优秀供应商奖。

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9.21.2014

How Connected Mobility Technology is Driving the Future of the Automotive Industry

September 22, 2014


How Connected Mobility Technology is Driving the Future of the Automotive Industry from Synergistics Limited

We are pleased to share with you a report titled How Connected Mobility Technology Is Driving The Future Of The Automotive Industry. This new report is the product of a collaboration between Gao Feng Advisory Company and our partners at 31ºNorth Innovation Exchange. Based in Tel Aviv, 31ºNorth Innovation Exchange specializes in connecting new cutting edge technologies and traditional industries by establishing investments and commercial activity in the automotive, energy, smart city and cyber security sectors. 

With the increasing prevalence of the wireless internet and mobile devices, we expect that the Internet of Vehicles will create discontinuous opportunities for product and business model innovation in the automotive industry. We believe the conditions in China – the world's largest auto market and the market with the largest number of both internet and "smart phone" users – will likely make it the incubator for rapid commercialization of such innovations. China's urban transportation challenge, the high rate of adoption of connected mobile devices, combined with the rapid and aggressive introduction of alternative mobility and vehicle ownership concepts from new entrants, will ultimately compress the time needed to commercialize smart, connected car technologies and related services. Such developments will dramatically alter not just the feature content of vehicles, but may also usher in a revolution to the business model of the automotive industry – where a model focused on "users of mobility services" could emerge as a real alternative to the traditional model of "car ownership”. 

We welcome your comments and feedback on our briefing paper or in general about our firm. We would be glad to meet you in person to share our data and perspectives in a fuller manner. Please let us know if you are interested in meeting and discussing directly how we can help you to operationalize these insights. Thought leadership is core to what Gao Feng does. 

We will, from time to time, share with you our latest thinking on business and management, especially as it relates to China and China’s role in the world. 

Dr. Edward Tse 
CEO, Gao Feng Advisory Company 
edward.tse@gaofengadv.com

Bill Russo 
Managing Director, Gao Feng Advisory Company 
bill.russo@gaofengadv.com 

Chee-Kiang Lim
Principal, Gao Feng Advisory Company
ck.lim@gaofengadv.com 

Tel: +86 10 8557 0676 (Beijing); +852 2588 3554 (Hong Kong); +86 21 5117 5853 (Shanghai) 

Gao Feng website: www.gaofengadv.com