On one hand, countless new vehicle models have been unveiled in quick succession, overwhelming audiences. Thanks to its vast venue, massive visitor turnout and rich model lineup, this edition ranks as the largest Beijing Auto Show in history. On the other hand, amid the phasing-out of subsidies this year, sales growth has slowed markedly, fuelling pervasive industry anxiety, while eye-catching cutting-edge technologies have also become less prevalent.
 

 

With new energy vehicle penetration exceeding 50% a decade ahead of schedule, multinational automakers readjusting their China strategies, and technical specifications growing increasingly homogeneous, the auto industry has entered a brand-new phase vastly different from previous years. Where will the competition in the automotive sector head next?
 

 

Against this backdrop, Shiding Talk recently interviewed Zhu Xichan, Professor at the School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University. They discussed the prosperity and underlying worries behind the Beijing Auto Show, as well as prevailing industry trends seen at the show and in the first-quarter auto market, including internal pressures amid external optimism, technological convergence and joint-venture brands stepping up efforts to catch up.