Auto China 2024: a quarter past twelve wake-up call for Western car companies! The Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, Auto China 2024, clearly set the tone for the automobile industry’s future.
Here is what I observed:
💡 The automotive industry showcases not only a multitude of products but also an inspiring wave of innovation, marked by meticulous design and a strong focus on customer-centric solutions.
💡 Chinese attendees were actively exploring a range of vehicles, predominantly from emerging Chinese brands. At certain booths, queues formed with up to 30-minute waiting times, with enthusiasts eagerly awaiting their turn to experience coveted models such as the Lotus Eletre.
💡 The cars’ offerings are meticulously crafted with the customer in mind, boasting superior exterior and interior designs. Enhanced comfort and innovative features, including expansive multimedia systems with large front and rear screens, have become standard across the board.
💡 Among the standout innovations were novel concepts that I had never seen before, like the Xpeng Flying Car, the M-Hunter ultimate off-road vehicle designed for river crossings, the Skyworth Driving First Class Lounge, and the Hi4T Modern Camping integrated into vehicles. Each of these vehicles pushes the boundaries of conventional automotive design and functionality.
This is definitely a quarter past twelve wake-up call for Western car companies!
It is time to stop being arrogant and start being humble. Sure, there will be consolidation of brands as there are too many, and few of them are making money, but in the very near future, we will see a flooding of both Western and Emerging markets.
The only way to counter this is to work together and reflect on the old virtues (focus on innovation, be curious, take risks and work together as a team again).
