Miao Wei: The Second Half of the Auto Industry Battle - Staying Firm on Innovation (AI Translation)
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- Miao Wei, a key figure in China's automotive industry, reflects on the rapid development of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and China becoming the largest auto exporter globally in 2023, surpassing Japan. He emphasizes the need for continued reform and opening up to transition from an automotive big country to a strong one.
- Miao discusses challenges such as technological innovation, brand building, and international competition. He highlights strategic moves like inviting Tesla to China and increasing foreign investment limits as pivotal for industry growth. The focus is on adapting to global trends, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering collaboration across sectors to innovate.
- Looking forward, Miao stresses the importance of seizing opportunities in intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) and navigating geopolitical complexities. He advocates for open-source systems in smart cars, leveraging AI advancements, and addressing overcapacity through market mechanisms. The goal is ambitious progress towards NEVs and ICVs while maintaining strategic openness and innovation.
文｜财新周刊 覃敏 王力为
By Caixin Weekly's Qin Min, Wang Liwei
2月28日，一个乍暖还寒的春日，坐落于北京西长安街边的工业和信息化部（下称“工信部”）大楼，在明媚晨光中格外宁静。即将69岁的全国政协常委、经济委员会副主任，工信部前部长苗圩，从他办公桌的一堆书稿中抬头起身、笑脸相迎。与三年前见面时一样，他身着标志性的黑夹克、白衬衫；回应提问也一如既往地坦诚、开放。
On February 28, a chilly yet warming spring day, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) building, located on West Chang'an Avenue in Beijing, stood out for its tranquility under the bright morning sun. Miao Wei, who is about to turn 69 years old, a standing committee member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and deputy director of the Economic Committee, as well as former minister of MIIT, rose from his desk piled with manuscripts and greeted us with a smile. Dressed in his signature black jacket and white shirt, just like when we met three years ago, he responded to our questions with his usual honesty and openness.
这是财新第三次专访苗圩。2014年3月，执掌工信部第四年之际，苗圩曾与财新畅谈产能过剩、企业重组以及电信业、汽车业的产业政策，处处表现出对市场机制的尊重（参见本刊2014年第12期封面报道《对话苗圩》）；2020年12月，转岗全国政协经济委员会副主任后不久，他与财新谈及5G建网节奏、车联网应用以及新能源汽车的发展与挑战，前瞻性眼光及其市场化思维令人印象深刻（参见本刊2020年第49期《专访苗圩：5G时代“路”与车》）。
This marks Caixin's third exclusive interview with Miao Wei. In March 2014, during his fourth year at the helm of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Miao Wei engaged in an in-depth discussion with Caixin on topics such as overcapacity, corporate restructuring, and industrial policies for the telecommunications and automotive sectors, demonstrating a deep respect for market mechanisms throughout (see our magazine's 2014 Issue No. 12 cover story "A Conversation with Miao Wei"). In December 2020, shortly after transitioning to the role of Deputy Director of the Economic Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), he spoke with Caixin about the pace of 5G network construction, applications for connected vehicles, and the development and challenges facing new energy vehicles. His forward-looking perspective and market-oriented thinking left a lasting impression (see our magazine's 2020 Issue No. 49 "Exclusive Interview with Miao Wei: The 'Road' and Vehicles in the Era of 5G").
此次访谈主题，是以其亲历者的视角，在当下特殊的时间节点，回顾与展望中国新能源汽车行业的发展。汽车领域的两大突破，为刚刚过去的2023年增添了历史性意义。这一年，首先，中国汽车出口达到491万辆，同比大增57.9%，首次替代日本成为全球第一大汽车出口国。这一动向引起了外界对中国的格外关注。在过去近半个世纪，日本都牢牢把控全球汽车出口“头把交椅”，而这也是日本作为世界制造业领先者的重要标志。其次，自主品牌乘用车的国内市场占有率首次超过合资品牌，达到56%。这对过去40年来在中国拥有品牌溢价与市场主导权的国外汽车公司来说，是一个压力空前的转折点。
The theme of this interview focuses on reviewing and foreseeing the development of China's new energy vehicle industry from the perspective of those who have experienced it firsthand, at this unique moment in time. Two major breakthroughs in the automotive sector added historical significance to the year 2023 that just passed. First, China's car exports reached 4.91 million units, a significant increase of 57.9% compared to the previous year, making China the world's largest car exporter for the first time, surpassing Japan. This shift has attracted extraordinary attention to China from around the world. For nearly half a century, Japan firmly held the top spot in global car exports, a status that was an important symbol of its leadership in global manufacturing. Second, for the first time, domestic brands surpassed joint venture brands in terms of market share within China, reaching 56%. This represents an unprecedented turning point for foreign car companies that have enjoyed brand premiums and market dominance in China over the past 40 years.
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