Bill Russo to Join Panel Discussion at Global Automotive Forum

Wuhan, China, October 16, 2014

TOPIC:

The Transformation of China’s Auto Dealers

Auto dealers in China thrive on new car sales and highly profitable repair services. What opportunities and challenges do dealers face with the growing number of vehicles on the road, increased competition, the internet, and the establishment of more independent repair shop chains?

• Relationship between e-commerce through the internet and the current sales channels.
• Transformation from a “commodity economy” to a “customer economy” by applying big data technology.
• Standardization of the used car market.

Hu Bo, Chief Marketing Officer, Greater China and the ASEAN regional, Volkswagen

Liu Zhifeng, Executive Deputy General Manager of Beijing Hyundai, China Group ChinaChina

Pang Qinghua, Chairman of Pangda Group, China

Bill Russo, Managing Director with Gao Feng Advisory Company, China

Moderated by,

Ma Xiaowei, President of Iautos.cn, China

Bill Russo to Speak at the 2014 Global Automotive Forum

Wuhan, China, October 16-17, 2014

Bill Russo to Join Panel Discussion at China Automotive Pudong Summit

Shanghai, China, August 13, 2014

TOPIC:

Trade and investment reform in CSPFTZ and its link with the enhancement of competitive edge of China’s auto industry

As we all know, the supply chain of the automotive industry centers on auto manufacturers. In the context of trade facilitation in CSPFTZ, how can we coordinate development of the auto supply chain to improve the competitiveness of the entire supply chain and to achieve win-win development? Along with China’s auto industry rapid growth, a “going global” strategy has been promoted since the beginning of the century. How to further promote the going global initiatives of the industry, so as to improve its international influence and enhance the level of recognition?

• How to develop the auto supply chain in a coordinated way to improve the competitiveness of the entire supply chain and to achieve win-win?
• Challenges and difficulties that China’s automakers are faced with 
• In the context of CSPFTZ trade facilitation, how can domestic suppliers improve technological competitiveness and go global?
•  Discussions on the new going-global models and strategies of Chinese automotive enterprises. How to establish a going-global risk management mechanism?

Panelists

Zhou Biren, Deputy General Manager of Chery Automobile Corporation & General Manager of Chery International Corporation, China

Jay Jiang, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Bosch (China) Investment Ltd., China

Bill Russo, Managing Director, Gao Feng Advisory Company, China

Experts from related research institutions and universities

Moderator

Liu Xiaoyong, Deputy Director, General Affairs Office, CCPIT Automotive Sub-Council  & Editor-in-Chief, Automotive Observer, China 

Bill Russo to Join Panel Discussion at China Automotive Chongqing Summit

Chongqing, China, June 5, 2014

TOPIC:

New strategies for new energy vehicle market

Under the pressure of environment protection and energy structure, China has paid great attention to the development of energy saving technology and new energy vehicle industry. Sales of China’s new energy vehicles reached 6,853 units in the first quarter of 2014, a year-on-year growth of 120%, but still lagged far behind the target. Meanwhile, technologies and applications of new energy vehicles are quite different from those of conventional vehicles. Do we need new market mode and what shall we do in terms of system construction to stimulate the growth of new energy vehicle market?

• Marketing strategies for constructing new energy vehicle system
• Thoughts on the change in marketing tactics, channel pattern, market environment, technology and service 

Global Automotive Forum 2013: China and the world in focus

Autocar Professional, November 15, 2013

The fourth annual Global Automotive Forum (GAF) held from October 18-19 was special for multiple reasons. While 2013 marks the 60th anniversary for China’s automotive industry (when its first automaker, First Automotive Works was founded), the year also sees the 30th anniversary of first saloon assembled in China by Shanghai Automobile Industry Corporation (SAIC) and the construction of the first expressway in the country.

Furthermore, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) had chosen Wuhan for this year’s GAF – a Tier 2 city as per Chinese city standards but massive enough to raise solid doubts about our own definition of a Tier 1 city in India. 

While the globally not-so-popular Wuhan is not only an upcoming economic powerhouse, it is also an important location to what Chinese government officials call as the ‘rise of central China strategy.’ Considered as the largest logistics and distribution centre in the inland China, thanks to its connectivity with high-speed rail network, largest inland port besides the expressways, Wuhan is also known to be home to a cluster of automobile and auto ancillary makers with the most prominent name being the Dongfeng-Citroën Automobile Company. 

With the theme being future development of the auto industry – target, strategy and implementation, the two-day conference saw participation from over 700 automotive industry officials from around the world including government representatives. Interestingly, the conference seemed to depict China’s all-new and rather liberal approach towards laying down the future growth roadmap for its automobile industry. For the first time, officials from the government and local companies recognised both the shortcomings and challenges which are deterring the growth of the Chinese auto companies and industry as a whole. 

Guess that’s what it takes especially when you are the largest automobile market in the world but without even a single home-grown brand that is as prominently known as the many European brands which sell in big numbers in China. 

The global interest in China is not without reason – the seven percent GDP growth and an estimated total sales of 20 million units by 2020, and double that to 40 million units by 2030. 

Collaboration is key

The star attraction of GAF 2013 was the hi-profile and power-packed session with participation from Alan Mulally, president & CEO, Ford Motor Company, USA; Li Shufu, chairman, Volvo Car Corporation and Geely Holding Group, China and Dr. Jochem Heizmann, president & CEO, Volkswagen Group, China. The session raised a question on the need to establish greater cooperation and collaboration for ensuring sustainable development of the auto industry and Mulally began with enthusiastic words – “Our answer at Ford is absolutely yes.” Explaining his outlook, he said that “we are touching sales of nearly 80 million units, 40 percent of that would come from Asia-Pacific led by China while 30 percent would come from European countries, USA and Africa. While we continue to cut down the carbon emissions, improve the internal combustion engines (ICEs), composite materials, make our cars lighter, work on alternate fuels including the use of hydrogen, design electric cars and raise the apt infrastructure, we do have to join hands to establish a cleaner world. At Ford, we have always believed in opening the highways to all mankind, we must ensure that we all collaborate and provide the best technology to our consumers.”

VW's balancing act

Agreeing to collaborate, VW AG's Dr. Heizmann said “We need to find the right balance between individual mobility and environmental requirements. The most important need of the hour is cooperation. The auto industry has to reduce its dependence on water and energy resources and at VW, we have reduced the consumption of water by upto 90 percent in our advanced paint shops. Since 2005, we have reduced fuel consumption in our China fleet by five percent. Our fuel efficient TSI engines are equipped with start-stop, brake recuperation technologies and are built on lightweight platforms, which are our initiatives for better fuel economy. The new Golf model saves around 100kg as against its older model. With the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid, we are offering a better car in China. Our priority will be to focus on plug-in hybrid cars in the foreseeable future while pure electric cars will happen later. While we know that battery technology needs a lot of advancement, we all are working towards the same.” 

He also appreciated the policies laid down by the Chinese government to promote the e-mobility and the infrastructure and added that “VW will do its best to support these policies.” 

Meanwhile, Li Shufu announced the beginning of Volvo Cars' nationalisation project in China. While Geely Automobile Holdings had bought Volvo Cars in 2010 from Ford (the biggest Chinese auto investment overseas), it was not getting due approvals from the Chinese government to set up plants to roll out Volvo cars in China. However, with approvals in place now, Shufu said that “the approval of Volvo’s production project marks the beginning of Volvo’s great future in China. Our immediate priorities are to improve Volvo’s brand recognition in China along with its aftersales service network while we continue to invest and learn from our R&D initiatives. Geely will remain a brand for the masses while Volvo cars will be positioned as luxury products, as both brands would continue to have their own product lines. These synergies will help us lower the development costs eventually.” 

Industry experts believe the Geely-Volvo combo will push the acceptance of this made-in-China brand, translating into increased exports. While China’s annual production and car sales stand around 19.3 million units, the world's largest car market exports only five percent of that.

Vision 2030 GAF 2013 was bent on seeing tomorrow today. According to Frank O’Brien, executive VP (Asia), Magna International Inc, Canada, cars by 2030 would have more functional exteriors, multipurpose interiors and many other futuristic applications. However, he added that “legislations play the most important role in introducing new technologies. The speed of legislations is substantially holding back a lot of new technologies.” California-based Pinnacle Engines made its presence felt at GAF 2013. “While everyone is talking about electrification of vehicles, we don’t exactly know by when the technology would be ready. At Pinnacle, we have mastered post-piston technology, which is a completely different engine design as compared to conventional engines and delivers a guaranteed improvement in fuel economy by upto 50 percent. Our first project will see commercialisation in India as early as 2015 in a two-wheeler application,” said Ronald Hoge, chairman and CEO, Pinnacle Engines.  Tapping opportunities outside China Discussing the challenges faced by Chinese automakers in tapping foreign markets, Bill Russo, president, Synergistics Ltd and senior advisor to Booz & Co, USA and a Chrysler veteran who has spent over 9 years in China, said: "While we all understand that it is essential for any growth-oriented global car company to do business in China today, the Chinese brands might take another 5-10 years to find substantial recognition among car buyers in mature western markets because they are not first-time car buyers. Most Chinese automakers have grown inorganically (through acquisitions such as SAIC-GM, Geely-Volvo, Dongfeng-PSA) which means they have limited indigenous capabilities. One which is most developed in this regard is the Great Wall Motors which has grown organically.”  According to him, around 74 percent of all passenger vehicles sold in China in 2012 were either foreign brands or models made under JVs. “Hence the fragmented auto companies in China need to first establish a successful consumer base in their own domestic market and rework their image of building ‘cheap cars’ to ‘affordable cars’ globally. They should overcome main failures by first setting up a stable domestic structure to compete globally, make global HR talent pool, setup quality conscious suppliers globally and also the financial and after-market services to win opportunities in other markets,” concluded Russo.

Bouncing Ideas on East Lake: The Future of Automobile - Global Intelligence under Multiple Challenges

November 1, 2013

Official summary of the Global Automotive Forum 2013 held in Wuhan, China
Click here to read the original notes posted at www.ga-forum.org

On the afternoon of October 18, 2013 (The Fourth) Global Automobile Forum was successfully closed on the International Conference Center of East Lake, Wuhan, after a busy two-day agenda.

In this Global Automobile Forum, a wonderful dialogue and discussion were developed closely around the theme of "future development road of automobile - objectives • strategy • mode".

This year, China's automobile industry has seen 60 years of development, and China's auto production and sales are expected to exceed 20 million, continuously ranking the as the largest auto market in the world. It will provide a unique strategic opportunity for China's auto industry.

However, the global auto industry encounters many challenges, such as the environment, fuel consumption, energy, safety and traffic management, etc. Consequently, the issue of whether a feasible and innovative solution can be proposed and put into place has become a key factor related to the development of auto industry and the survival of auto enterprises. Therefore, the cooperation among policy makers, significant industry organizations, auto manufacturers, suppliers, vendors and all related parties is becoming more and more important.

As the world's largest automobile market in terms of production and sales, the future development of the Chinese auto industry has attracted the attention of international auto industry. Wang Ruixiang, the president of China Machinery Industry Federation, also expressed in his speech that the realization of dream of strong auto country was depending on the abundant resources and global automotive industry, as well as the sincere cooperation among international auto enterprises.

At the opening ceremony, Wang Xia, the executive chairman of Organizing Committee of Global Automobile Forum and the president of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Auto Industry Branch said in his speech: "As the world's most populous country with the largest demand for new cars and fastest growing auto industry, the great challenges and deep-seated problems faced by China as its auto industry becomes the  development engine of global auto industry should also attract the global attention, because the solving of these issues involves not only the development of China's auto industry but also the development of global auto industry."

The development of the auto industry is based on the wisdom of China and world. This is also the original intention that brought auto industry elites from the whole world to this forum in Wuhan.

Chi Shiyan, the president of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., also held high expectations for the development of China's auto industry. He believed that in the face of challenges from energy and environmental concerns, it was important that China should lead the direction of the global auto industry. While such a right direction and pace could better benefit the world, and what was important was not just the increase of sales but the quality, safety and environmental protection issues, so as to better achieve a greater global competitiveness and support the global market whilst being more accepting of Chinese automotive products.

But in fact, there are many problems to be solved if China intends to lead the development direction of global automobile industry. Wang Ruixiang, the president of China Machinery Industry Federation, noted that compared to developed countries in the world, China stills lagged behind in the independent innovation, core components and brand building; "To build a truly strong auto country, we still have a long way to go." Wang Rui xiang said.

Bill Russo, (formerly) from Booz & Company and (presently) the founder and president of Synergistics Company also pointed out that now China's auto market was still very fragmented and the self-owned brand competition was fierce. Therefore, China's auto industry was in a divide-and-rule pattern, without any cohesion, and the local competition in the internal market was very intense. The level of competition needed to be improved.

Then, as the world's largest auto market and producing country, can China lead the development direction of global auto industry in the future?

Zhu Fushou, the general manager of Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd. also proposed that: facing the strategic opportunities, China must solve three contradictions to achieve the sustainable and healthy development of auto industry, i.e. the contradiction of competition and long-term confrontation between joint-venture brand and self-owned brands in the China's market; the contradiction between firm determination of China's enterprises entering international market and international trade barriers; the contradiction between rigid demand for auto and energy, transportation and environmental protection.

Zeng Qinghong, the general manager of GAC Group advised that: firstly, to accelerate the promotion of independent innovation capability, especially the breakthrough of key parts and core technologies; secondly, to speed up the integration and restructuring; thirdly, to quicken the economic restructuring, especially the industrial layout adjustment. And the four leaps include: the transformation & upgrading from manufacturing to creation, the leap from production base to industrial base, the leap from asset management to capital management, and the leap from business products to brands.

Wang Xigao, the chairman of JMC Group, held that to improve the independent R&D capabilities of China's self-owned brand automobile enterprises, it should gradually realize the maturity of technology research and development, and finally achieve the purpose of independent innovation by absorption, imitation and improvement when introducing the foreign advanced production technology. In this step, the improvement was the key. Anyone can not blindly imitate the foreign technology, but find a suitable road meeting the actual needs of China's market and international market during the learning process.

Guo Qian, Chairman and CEO of Qoros expressed that the automobile development of China has gone through several stages: firstly, the grasp of some key technologies or a car body or a gearbox; secondly, the grasp of system integration; thirdly, product platformization and modularization and fourthly, the establishment of brand features. In this respect, Qoros has created a kind of automobile with high starting point, which has become a new model of Qoros.

As the representative of commercial vehicle enterprises, Yuan Hongming, Deputy Party Secretary and General Manager of Shaanxi Automobile Group Co., Ltd. thought that autonomous vehicle enterprises should make breakthrough by focusing on post-market, accelerate the promotion of new energy and intelligent technology, pay attention to the mutual development of automobile and parts. Chinese enterprises should also unite closely to reduce internal consumption.

Alan Mulally, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company gave a sustainable technology roadmap: improvement of traditional internal combustion engines and materials, including diesel and gasoline, improvement of aerodynamics and electronic equipment, etc., integration of system and interconnectivity of technologies; automobiles will become a mobile equipment in the future to be connected to internet by people; development from hybrid power to full electric vehicle." Cooperation is required during the whole process. Governments and enterprises in the global world should work together so as to bring the proven technologies to consumers", Alan Mulally said.

Prof · Dr · Jochem Heizmann, President and CEO of Volkswagen (China) thought that the future development of auto industry relies on three key factors: production with energy conservation, high-efficiency mobility and intelligent system. He believed that to achieve these goals, the auto industry of China should be cooperative, including cooperation with suppliers, have a clear and stable legal framework and environment and establish a stable relation with core participants and large number of partners. At the same time, a strong team-work spirit should be built among employees.

In terms of the international cooperation of Chinese automobile enterprises, Geely has come to the forefront by acquiring Volvo and some other international companies. Li Shufu, Chairman of Volvo Car Corporation, founder and chairman of Geely Holding Group expressed that the localization projects of Geely-Volvo in Chengdu and Daqing have been approved this August. This is also an event with far-reaching significance in the development of Chinese auto industry. Currently, Geely has determined to build China to the second home market of Volvo to promote the revival process of Volvo in the global world.

In the two-day meeting, 2013 (Fourth) Global Automobile Forum arranged 16 open sections and launched a range of wonderful discussions on issues of strategic opportunities, multination development, future automobile, post-market, financial innovation, new energy strategy, automobile consumption and international talents, etc.

As what is hoped by Wang Xia, the Executive Chairman of the organizing committee of Global Automobile Forum, the automobile dream of China is an important part of world automobile dream. The mutual dream of global automobile people is: to make the society better with automobiles. This forum which integrated global wisdoms to offer advices and suggestions to the development of auto industry is to guide another new development of auto industry with the creative, constructive and proactive thoughts of everyone.

This session of forum is hosted by Auto industry Committee of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Wuhan People's Government, cosponsored by CCTV and firstly held in "City with Auto industry Dream and Solid Foundations"--Wuhan. It attracted more than 900 professionals from 20 countries of the world, including over 200 foreign guests or overseas personnel. The nature of the "Global" Forum is further intensified.

This forum totally organized 16 open sections, 1 closed-door meeting, 6 press conferences, 2 off-field activities and 1 concert held in the same period. 82 authoritative speakers participated in the sectional discussion. USA Michigan and Georgia States specially sent governments and business delegation to participate in the forum.

This forum surpasses the previous three Global Automobile Forums in the scale of meeting, coverage of participants, degree of internationalization and diversity of forum activities, especially in the height, depth and range of issues under discussion, and reaches a new realm and new height in global professional meetings. What is particularly worth mentioning is that this forum broke through the scope of multilateral exchanges, increased bilateral exchange activities, held a number of talks between enterprises, press conferences and communications between enterprises and medias, meetings between government leaders and corporate executives and so on, which makes the platform role of Global Forum more prominent.

Dongfeng Deliberates on Peugeot Stake

The Wall Street Journal, October 17, 2013

Dongfeng Motor and Peugeot Citroën jointly manufacture cars in China. Shown, the Élysée model produced at their factory in Wuhan, China Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

WUHAN, China—A top executive at Dongfeng Motor Corp. said on Thursday that the Chinese auto maker continues to debate the "rationality" of buying a stake in ailing PSA Peugeot Citroën, UG.FR +0.70% after months of slow-going talks between the two.

The comments—by Dongfeng President Zhu Fushou on the sidelines of the Global Automotive Forum here—underscore the obstacles that remain ahead of a potential deal that would reshape the unprofitable French auto maker and project state-owned Dongfeng more fully on to the world stage.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Zhu said "it's too early" to talk about a potential investment. Asked why the company is still in talks, Mr. Zhu said "because it's about the rationality" of a deal.

Mr. Zhu's comments come after months of talks between the two companies that could see Dongfeng take a stake of just under 30% in Peugeot, according to a person familiar with the matter. The French auto maker is exploring a capital increase to ensure sufficient resources to develop new cars amid a slumping European market.

The talks, however, have moved slowly, hampered at times by a language divide, and the cautious nature of Dongfeng, a person familiar with the matter said. On the Peugeot side, the company's controlling family isn't entirely on board with a deal that could also significantly dilute its control, that person added.

It also remains unclear whether a Dongfeng deal would conflict with the relationship Peugeot partner General Motors Co. GM -0.28% currently has with Dongfeng rival SAIC Motor Corp. 600104.SH -0.07% GM owns 7% of Peugeot.

Peugeot's board is expected to meet early next week to consider a potential capital injection from Dongfeng, a person familiar with the matter has said. After that meeting, the French government could consider investing in Peugeot alongside Dongfeng, another person familiar with the matter said.

Dongfeng is the state-controlled parent of Hong Kong-listed Dongfeng Motor Group Corp.

Mr. Zhu's comments Thursday echo those of some industry experts, who say it isn't clear whether an alliance with Peugeot would help Dongfeng realize its global ambitions, build its own brand or give it effective access to new technologies.

"For sure Dongfeng wants access to Peugeot's research and development, technology and sales network—the more they can get of these the better," said Zhang Xin, a senior analyst at Guotai Junan Securities in Beijing. "The problem is whether Peugeot wants to share them with Dongfeng," said Mr. Zhang.

"It would be a deal that [Dongfeng executives] would hope could put them into the premier league," said Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Max Warburton, who added that it would allow Dongfeng to move from being a contract assembler to full-fledged manufacturer.

Dongfeng is China's second-biggest car maker by volume if its sizable commercial-vehicle sales are included. But the overwhelming majority of Dongfeng's cars are produced with the company's joint-venture partners, which include Japanese auto makers' Nissan Motor Co. 7201.TO -0.79% and Honda Motor Co.7267.TO +0.26% , and Peugeot.

Dongfeng's own-brand cars account for about one-eighth of its total passenger-car sales, according to a Bernstein analysis based on data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, an industry body.

"But if they are wise, they'll be spending a lot of time pondering whether they have the expertise to manage this and if a minority stake in PSA would really give them proper influence," Mr. Warburton said.

Mei Songlin, vice president and managing director with advisory firm J.D. Power China, said owning a substantial share of Peugeot could allow Dongfeng to access the French auto maker's know-how, including product platforms, technologies and quality-management systems.

Dongfeng's technology shopping list could include advanced powertrains, transmission systems, safety measures and emission systems, said Bill Russo, president of auto consulting firm Synergistics Ltd.

He said fostering such a technology pipeline could otherwise take Dongfeng years to develop by itself. "And there's no guarantee they can do it alone," Mr. Russo said.

Other factors possibly influencing Dongfeng's decision include a desire to survive in China's highly competitive auto industry and to ensure its joint venture in China with Peugeot, known as Dongfeng PSA, continues to run smoothly.

John Zeng, a managing director at consulting firm LMC Automotive, said Dongfeng is lagging behind even other Chinese state-owned car makers. "They are under pressure to grow, to be comparable to other automotive groups," he said.

"Dongfeng PSA is becoming increasingly crucial and a big cash cow to Dongfeng Motor overall. If Peugeot experiences a financial crisis, it will cause a big negative impact on its operations and brand image in the Chinese market," said J.D. Power's Mr. Mei.

He said Dongfeng PSA is now "growing in the fast lane." This year's sales volume is forecast to increase more than 20%, he added.

The Chinese auto maker's Dongfeng Motor unit posted a net profit of 5.5 billion yuan ($902 million) in the first half of this year, up 3% from a year earlier. According to CAAM data, the company sold about 2.2 million vehicles in the January-to-August period this year.

—Rose Yu in Wuhan, China, and Sam Schechner and Noémie Bisserbe in Paris contributed to this article.

Write to Colum Murphy at colum.murphy@wsj.com

Click here to read this article at WSJ.com

全球汽车论坛举行 中国因素关乎世界汽车业发展

China News, October 25, 2013

　　这是中国汽车业界高水平的论坛，政府、行业、企业代表层次颇高，热点话题层出不穷。政府部门的相关人士在论坛上表示：“随着越来越多国内企业走出国门，合资公司股比放开的问题也会提上议事日程”。在中国整车制造生产领域，外资持股比例不得超过50%，一直是政策的“红线”。虽然争议不断，但在近年来却持续升温。此次论坛，这个话题再一次成为了焦点之一，而且响应者有所增加。——编者

　　10月17日至18日，第四届全球汽车论坛在武汉成功举行。与会嘉宾紧紧围绕“汽车未来发展之路——目标·策略·模式”的主题展开精彩对话和研讨。

　　今年，中国汽车产销有望突破2000万辆大关，继续领跑全球汽车市场。但是，全球汽车产业共同面临诸多挑战，包括环境、油耗、能源、安全与交通管理等等问题，能否提出可行的、创新性的解决方案，已成为关乎汽车产业发展及汽车企业生存的关键因素。因此，政策制定者、重要的行业机构、汽车制造商、供应商、销售商和所有相关方之间的协同合作也正在变得更为重要。

　　全球汽车论坛组委会执行主席、中国国际贸易促进委员会汽车行业委员会会长王侠在开幕式致辞中说：“作为全球人口最多、新车需求量最大、汽车产业发展增长最快的国家，中国汽车产业在成为全球汽车产业发展引擎的时候，所面临的巨大挑战和深层次问题也应该引起全球的关注，因为这些问题的解决不仅关乎中国汽车产业的发展，也关乎世界汽车产业的发展。”

　　本田技研工业株式会社会长池史彦对于中国汽车工业的发展寄予厚望。他认为，面对来自于能源、环境的挑战，重要的是中国应该引领全球汽车行业的方向。而这样一个正确的方向和节奏，可以更好地为世界带来利益，而且重要的并不仅仅是提高销量，而是质量、安全以及环保，这样才能够更好地实现全球竞争，支持全球的市场更好地接受中国制造的汽车。

　　但事实上，中国要引领全球汽车的方向，要解决的问题还有很多。中国机械工业联合会会长王瑞祥指出，和世界发达国家相比，中国在自主创新、核心零部件和品牌打造等方面还存在着较大的差距。“要真正建设汽车工业强国，我们还有很长的路要走。”王瑞祥说。

　　美国博斯公司（Booz&Company）高级专家，Synergistics有限公司创始人、总裁BillRusso也指出，现在中国汽车市场仍然非常分散，自主品牌竞争非常激烈。所以，中国的汽车格局还是分而治之，没有凝聚力，而且本土的内部市场就是竞争非常的激烈。这个竞争层次还需要提升。

　　作为全球第一大汽车市场和生产国，未来中国能否引领全球汽车行业的方向？东风汽车公司总经理朱福寿提出：面对战略机遇期，中国汽车产业如何实现持续、健康发展，必须解决三个矛盾点：合资品牌与自主品牌在中国市场同台竞争、长期对峙的矛盾；中国企业走进国际市场的坚定决心与国际贸易壁垒的矛盾；汽车刚性需求与能源、交通、环境保护的矛盾。

　　广汽集团总经理曾庆洪的建议是：第一，加快自主创新能力的提升，特别是关键零部件与关键核心技术的突破；第二，加快整合重组；第三，加快经济结构调整，特别是产业布局调整。而四个跨越包括：从制造到创造的转型升级、生产基地向产业基地的跨越、从资产经营向资本经营的跨越、从经营产品到经营品牌的跨越。

　　江铃集团董事长王锡高则认为，为提高我国自主品牌汽车企业的自主研发能力，在引进国外先进生产技术时通过吸收、模仿、改进，逐步实现技术科研开发的成熟化，最终达到能够自主创新的目的。在这个环节中，改进是关键，不能一味地模仿外国的技术，而应该在学习的同时找出一条适合中国市场和国际市场实际需要的道路。

　　观致汽车董事长兼首席执行官郭谦表示，中国汽车发展经历了几个阶段，首先是能够掌握一些关键技术，或者是一个车身，一个变速器；其次，能掌握车的整合；第三，产品的平台化、模块化；第四构建品牌特征。在这方面，观致汽车已经打造了一个高起点的汽车，成为一种观致新模式。

　　福特汽车公司总裁兼首席执行官AlanMulally则给出了一个可持续的技术路线图：柴油以及汽油在内的传统内燃机及材料的改善，空气动力学以及电子设备等等的改善和系统的整合以及技术的连接性，汽车未来会变成一个可移动的设备，让人们可以连接到互联网，混合动力到纯电动车的发展。“在整个过程当中，需要协同合作，让全球各地的政府和企业一起来建设基础设施，这样才能够把这些成熟的技术带给消费者”，AlanMulally说。

　　大众汽车集团（中国）总裁兼首席执行官Prof·Dr·JochemHeizmann博士认为，汽车行业未来发展靠的是三个支柱：节约资源的生产、高效的移动性和智能的系统。他坚信，要实现这样一些目标，中国的汽车行业需要广泛的合作，包括和供应商进行合作，一个清晰稳定的法律框架和环境，并且能广泛和核心的参与者和合作伙伴建立关系，同时员工要建立紧密的团队合作精神。

　　就中国车企的国际化合作来讲，通过收购沃尔沃和其他一些国际公司，吉利汽车已走到了前列。沃尔沃汽车公司董事长、吉利控股集团创始人兼董事长李书福表示，今年8月，吉利沃尔沃在成都的国产化项目已经获批，这也是中国汽车工业进行中具有非常深远意义的一件事。目前，吉利已立志将中国打造成沃尔沃的第二本土市场，推动沃尔沃汽车在全球范围内的复兴进程。

　　第四届全球汽车论坛共安排16场公开环节，分别就战略机遇、跨国发展、未来汽车、后市场、金融创新、新能源战略、汽车消费、国际化人才等等一系列议题展开了精彩的讨论。论坛组委会执行主席王侠说，中国的汽车梦是世界汽车梦的重要组成部分，全球所有汽车人的共同梦想就是：汽车让社会更美好。这次融合了全球智慧为汽车工业发展建言献策的论坛，正用大家的创造性、建设性、前瞻性的思想，去引领汽车产业的新一轮发展。

　　本届论坛由中国国际贸易促进委员会汽车行业委员会和武汉市人民政府主办，吸引了来自世界20个国家和地区的900多名专业人士参与，其中200多人为外宾或来自境外，使“全球”论坛的性质进一步得到强化。(张宇星)

Click here to read the original article in China News （中文）

China Still 5-10 Years Away From Being Western Player

Wards Auto, October 18, 2013

A top China industry consultant blames the delay on many factors, including the lack of positive identities for Chinese brands, the still-fragmented nature of the country’s domestic auto industry and the perception of Chinese goods as "cheap."

Click here to read the article at WardsAuto.com (subscription required)

WUHAN, CHINA – It will take another five to 10 years before domestic Chinese automakers enter developed Western markets, an analyst says during the 2013 Global Automotive Forum. The West is "not a market where you can fit a lot of competitors," Bill Russo, president-Synergstics, tells attendees during an Oct. 17 panel discussion here.

For more on this topic please read Bill Russo's article The Path to Globalization of China's Automotive Industry