The mainstream manufacturers collectively exert their power to independent innovation and the main force is no longer silent

For a period of time, when it comes to independent innovation of Chinese automobiles, only the voices of private companies such as Chery and Geely have been heard. Several major auto groups and car backbone enterprises have remained silent and responded to the most simple things. In 2006, this situation suddenly changed, and heavyweight companies such as SAIC and FAW broke their silence on the issue of independent innovation and displayed a blueprint for building their own brands.

The intention of SAIC's own brand is that it has entered the line of sight from its acquisition of Rover. This year, this development trajectory has become increasingly apparent. On February 23, SAIC Motor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was officially approved by the National Development and Reform Commission and will be fully responsible for the construction of SAIC's own-brand passenger car system, and will become the third largest after SAIC shares following Shanghai GM and Shanghai Volkswagen. Car manufacturing company.

Not only that, a car with independent intellectual property rights and its own brand will surface. It is understood that the project will be SAIC's first independent brand, with an investment of 3.68 billion yuan. The technology is derived from the Rover 75 technology platform purchased by SAIC from Rover UK. As one of Rover’s most classic models, SAIC has adapted its engine and configuration to the Chinese market and eventually positioned it as a mid- to high-end vehicle. In the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” of SAIC, SAIC Motor will invest more than 10 billion yuan in the development of its own brand. By 2010, it will reach a scale of 200,000 vehicles for production and sales, with overseas sales of 50,000 units. SAIC President Chen Hong said clearly that SAIC will make full use of the foundation laid in 20 years and take a road to differentiate development with other domestic self-owned brand companies -- "build a high starting point, high-quality international brand."

Like SAIC, FAW will also enter the field of independent innovation. Because of its special status and development history, people's expectations for FAW in terms of independent innovation are no doubt higher. Therefore, when FAW President Yan Yanfeng announced several years ago that he “has to be tolerant to loneliness for 20 years”, “self-owned brands must reach 5 million vehicles. When the annual output can really make it, it has caused a great uproar. However, from the signs of this year, FAW has also been unable to bear the loneliness.

Recently, FAW revealed that its self-developed mid-to-high-end sedan C301 will be released in June and listed in July. According to Yan Yanfeng, the C301 is just one of many self-developed vehicle projects. In the future, more independent new products will be introduced. At the same time, FAW announced that by the end of the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" period, FAW's own-brand car sales will reach 1 million vehicles.

In addition to SAIC and FAW, this year other Dongfeng, Changan, Guangzhou Automobile and other key enterprises have also accelerated the process of independent innovation. It is understood that the Dongfeng independent brand project team is currently fully conducting the demonstration and preparation work. Liu Weidong, deputy general manager of Dongfeng and general manager of Shenlong, once said that in the process of cooperation with France’s PSA Group, China has taken into consideration the issue of independent intellectual property rights of joint venture brands, such as the Elysee and Peugeot 307 models, and China has some intellectual property rights. .

Over the years, Changan Group has spared no effort in independent innovation. According to the plan, during the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” period, Changan Automobile Group will launch 16 models with fully independent intellectual property rights, including CV6, CV7, CV9 and MPV CV9 and CV11. At present, Changan Automobile has established a technology development center overseas and already has the ability to independently develop vehicles. By 2010, the production and sales volume of Changan Group's independent intellectual property rights will account for more than 50% of the Group's automobile production and sales, and the number of self-developed vehicle platforms will exceed six. Yin Jiaxu, chairman of Chang'an Group, made it clear: "In the automotive industry, which technology source is the one, which one has the right to speak, we must have our own right to speak, we must master the technology."

GAC intends to seek a "middle course" between independent innovation and joint ventures. Zeng Qinghong, vice chairman and general manager of Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd., said that during the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” period, GAC will definitely launch its own-brand sedan, but GAC will not innovate for innovation. In addition, the joint venture company will also have its own brand, but as to what brand to use, what channels to use for sales, etc., has not yet considered comprehensive.

From SAIC’s acquisition of Rover, FAW and Changan’s independent research and development and Guangzhou Automobile’s “middle course” have their own supernatural powers. At the national level, various kinds of innovations are needed. Whether it is the original innovation of technology or brand, or the re-innovation through the purchase of advanced foreign technologies and brands, it is a useful attempt. The innovation attempts of large companies such as SAIC and FAW will follow another upsurge of independent innovation after Chery and Geely. Compared with the first round of innovation attempts, this round of innovation will appear more systematic and diversified.

At the same time, compared to the routes entered by Chery, Geely and other low-end markets, this large group and backbone enterprises have chosen the route from the high starting point and high-end entry without exception. Judging from the schedule, FAW, SAIC, etc. all started with mid- to high-end vehicles of about 200,000 yuan. It can be seen that these large conglomerates have already had relatively strong financial and technological strength through the accumulation of “market-for-technology”, so the energy and potential for independent innovation will be even greater. The question now is: How can SAIC and FAW, as key auto enterprises in China, make good use of the experience and funds gained from the “market-for-technology” for more than 20 years, boldly plan for independent innovation, and have the courage to break through and complete the development of the Chinese auto industry? The strategic transformation will create an independent brand automobile with international competitiveness. Who will be the true winner when they make this answer.