What major events have happened in the automobile industry at home and abroad this week? Maserati changed coach in China, and on September 25, Maserati announced that Yu Hanbang would be the new general manager of China, responsible for the business operation of Trident brand in China, effective immediately.
Source: Maserati, Maserati pointed out that the Chinese market has witnessed the rapid development of the automobile industry, and local consumers have formed a unique taste and personality demand for excellent driving and innovation.
As an important part of Maserati’s global layout, its strategic significance is not self-evident.
Prior to his appointment as general manager of Maserati China, Yu Hanbang held key management positions in well-known automotive companies such as Genisse China, SAIC MG Europe and SAIC Volkswagen.
Davide Grasso, CEO of Maserati, said that Mr.
Yu Hanbang has a deep understanding of the Chinese market, and his rich resume brings him a forward-looking international perspective, as well as unique insight into the automotive industry and business decision-making ability, which makes him an ideal person to be in charge of Maserati’s China business.
“under his leadership, Trident will continue to deepen its business in China and strive to achieve the development goals of the new era.
” Gaishi comments: Maserati’s sales in China are low, and it is a heavy burden on Hanbang’s shoulders.
BMW denied returning to the price war, and on September 24, Galaxy learned that in response to recent rumors in the industry that it had “pulled out of the price war”, BMW China responded that it had not adjusted the suggested retail price and was decided by authorized dealers.
Photo: BMW China, Galaxy has noticed that there have been rumors that BMW has made a decision to reduce the price of related models in the Chinese market.
People concerned believe that due to the recent sales shock, market pressure and fierce market competition and other factors, BMW returned to the “price war.
” According to the rumor, on September 24, BMW China responded that competition in the Chinese auto market will intensify further in 2024, and almost all brands will face the same challenge.
However, BMW has not made any adjustment to the recommended retail price recently.
Authorized dealers independently determine the retail price according to the market situation, and the final transaction price is affected by the specific transaction situation.
Global comment: BMW firmly withdrew from the “price war”, but anxious dealers could not sit still.
Mercedes-Benz plans to expand its technical cooperation with Chinese companies, and Ola K ä llenius, chief executive of Mercedes-Benz Group, will visit China this week with other executives and supervisory board members, according to people familiar with the matter.
The move is aimed at expanding local technology partnerships with China to help Mercedes-Benz reverse declining sales in the Chinese market.
Mercedes-Benz, it is reported that Mercedes-Benz may seek to work with Chinese companies that produce maps or in-car entertainment devices to make the first model based on Mercedes-Benz’s new electric platform, the all-electric CLA, more popular with Chinese consumers.
The car is crucial for the company to regain market share from Chinese carmakers.
According to sources, Kang Linsong may also meet with Li Shufu, chairman and founder of Zhejiang Geely holding Group, during his visit to China.
A representative of Geely Holdings declined to comment.
The Mercedes-Benz China representative confirmed the headquarters’ planned visit to China, but declined to comment further.
This year, Kang Linsong has visited China many times, and during his most recent visit to China, Mercedes-Benz announced a joint investment of 14 billion yuan ($1.
99 billion) with local enterprises in China, including long-term partner BAIC, to produce passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles tailored to the Chinese market These include the electric CLA (whose wheelbase will also be lengthened), the GLE SUV and a new luxury all-electric SUV.
In addition, last month, Mercedes-Benz announced a partnership with China byte Jump to provide generative artificial intelligence applications that can be used in on-board systems.
The attitude of Mercedes-Benz has long been put forward: “to invest in China is to invest in the future”.
France supports the EU in imposing tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
According to Bloomberg, the new French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, “France supports the EU’s plan to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles because China has been using subsidies to maintain its dominance in the auto industry.
” Jean-Noel Barrot.
Photo Source: French Foreign Ministry Jean-Noel Barrot said in an interview with Bloomberg Television reporter Annmarie Hordern: “the EU’s intention to raise tariffs is not to adopt some form of comprehensive protectionist policy against China, but basically to create a level playing field.
” Jean-Noel Barrot said that checks and balances on China would make Europe “more independent, economically stronger and more strategically autonomous”.
At present, China and the European Union are negotiating an alternative solution to tariffs.
Chinese carmakers have offered to sell electric cars in the European Union at the lowest price.
A spokesman for China’s Ministry of Commerce said that “the technical teams of China and the EU are negotiating a flexible price commitment plan” and “make every effort to reach a consensus on a solution framework before the EU makes a final ruling on tariffs on electric vehicles”.
The European car and parts manufacturing industry is facing the far-reaching impact of electrification and competition from China, involving thousands of jobs and economic output.
But unlike France, German economy Minister Robert Habeck said he did not support EU tariffs on China, and Hungary’s foreign minister said it would vote against the European Commission imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
It is reported that EU member states are expected to vote on draft legislation to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in early October, originally scheduled for September 25, but the vote was slightly delayed after the EU and China agreed to strengthen negotiations.
, Gaishi comments: “cross the river and tear down the bridge”? The French move is inexplicable.
South Korean automakers are facing supply chain pressure because of the US ban on China.
According to foreign media reports, the United States will ban the sale of Internet-connected cars using Chinese software from the second half of 2026 and will impose further restrictions on Chinese hardware from 2029.
The move will force global automakers such as Hyundai and Kia to diversify their supply chains.
Photo: Kia, although South Korean automakers are relatively dependent on Chinese softwareLow, the impact from software may be limited, but given South Korea’s reliance on China suppliers for certain auto parts, the hardware supply chain remains a worrying issue.
A Hyundai Motor staff member said: “The software components in our connected cars are rarely purchased from China, so we believe that the new US regulations will not immediately interfere with the company.
” However, the hardware supply chains of South Korean automakers are more vulnerable to new U.S. regulations.
An automotive industry insider pointed out that Korean auto companies “still rely on China” for hardware such as wiring harnesses.
Wiring harnesses are necessary to transmit electronic signals inside vehicles.
Due to low labor costs in China, Korean automakers have been purchasing wiring harnesses from China.
, The U.S. ban on China’s connected automotive technology gives South Korean automakers about two years to adjust software compliance and five years to adjust hardware compliance to ensure they are ready before the ban takes full effect.
In response to changing regulations, experts urge the South Korean government and South Korea’s auto industry to actively negotiate with U.S. authorities to reduce potential negative impacts.
Earlier this year, the Korea Automobile and Mobile Mobility Association (KAMA) submitted a public opinion to the U.S. Department of Commerce, advocating a clearer definition of “connected vehicles” to avoid excessive impact.
Gaishi Comments: Under the ban, many “innocent” people are implicated.
Joyson Electronics and GAC Ean signed a global strategic cooperation.
On September 24, Joyson Electronics ‘automotive safety business segment and GAC Ean signed a global strategic cooperation agreement in Guangzhou.
The two parties will further deepen cooperation on a global scale to achieve complementary advantages and Coordinated development.
Photo source: Joyson Electronics, GAC Aian has been accelerating the process of brand internationalization in recent years.
It is expected that in the next 1-2 years, it will deploy seven production and marketing bases in Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East, East Asia and other countries to achieve global “research and production integration”.
In this process, Joyson Safety’s R & D and production bases around the world will provide strong support to GAC Aian.
, On July 17, GAC Ean Thailand Smart Factory was completed and put into operation in Rayong Province, Thailand, and simultaneously launched the first global strategic model-the second-generation AION V.
Jossen Safety supplied steering wheel and airbag products for this model.
, It is reported that as one of the seven production and sales bases in GAC’s safety ball strategy, Thailand will introduce more local models and export them to other overseas markets in the future.
Joyson Electronics will continue to provide products and services for its global models.
, Geshi Comments: When it comes to sailing, the whole company is “grouped” and is expected to get twice the result with half the effort.
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