'I don't know how long Ms. Merkel had decided on her recent trip to Shenzhen, China. But Audi really wanted to hold a brand summit in Shenzhen a long time ago. Shenzhen is the 'Silicon Valley of China' and it has become modern and high-tech. Is synonymous with Audi; not only is it an automotive company, but also a technology company with many high-tech technologies. The importance of the Chinese auto market for Audi is self-evident, so this brand summit was held in Shenzhen, China, and it can be said to be a coincidence. At the time of the opening of the 2018 Audi Brand Summit on June 5th, the chairman of Audi's Management Board, Steader, told the reporter of China Auto News that 'It's a great honour to be able to come to China to share and share with everyone. It's not just because we're honored. This is Audi's largest single market in the world, and it's more like Audi is standing here after 30 years of deep farming in the Chinese market.
Why Shenzhen
Stade has a Shenzhen complex. Because here gathered a number of top experts in robotics and artificial intelligence, he disclosed that during this visit to Shenzhen, he visited high-tech companies including Tencent and Huawei, and discussed with Huawei executives. The potential for cooperation between the two parties is in fact possible. In fact, Audi has partnered with Chinese companies such as Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu. In the eyes of Stead, these Chinese companies are Audi's world-class partners. 'We are honored to be China's leading technology company cooperation. '
Audi sees what 'new opportunities in China' Stade admitted that Audi is very interested in China's cooperation in AI, mobile travel, and autonomous driving. 'The technology in the automotive industry is changing so rapidly that such changes to the joint venture The cooperation model under the company framework has no impact, but it has a great influence on relevant companies that have not yet entered the automotive industry. Audi and Tencent have cooperated in Wuxi to develop 5G, automatic driving projects. We are very happy to use our own technology to participate in the cooperation. China. The group of people who accept digital products and services in China is very young. This gives Audi new opportunities.
How important is the Chinese market?
Stade's Shenzhen Complex also reflects Audi's 'China's weight'. As he said, the Chinese market is not only Audi's largest single market in the world. The rapidly changing diversified needs are also urging Audi to continue to innovate.
The Audi Q8's world premiere was placed in this year's brand summit, and it also illustrates Audi's emphasis on the Chinese market. According to Steader, according to Volkswagen Group's latest strategic plan and layout, Audi will put more Many decision-making powers, budgets, manpower and other quality resources are placed in China. Specific projects will be remunerated and implemented by Audi China. The company plans to build a mature R&D center and competence center in China. The latter is mainly responsible for Audi's special efforts for the Chinese market. Automatic driving technology development, related product matching and smart interconnection work.
'In the Audi's investment plan for the next 10 years, 40 billion euros will be used in the digitization, electrification, etc., and most of this 400 billion euros will be used in China. In terms of staffing, it will also be to China. Tilt, there will be more people to take on the work in China's new business. I believe that the future of China's luxury car market will continue to grow, Audi is ready. ' Stade said.
Win-win, in China
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up, Audi, which has been deeply cultivating the Chinese market for 30 years, has gone for a 'brand appointment' with China’s reform and opening city, Shenzhen. It will only feel like 'marginal, wonderful,' and it’s no wonder. Stead's good mood melted into his smile.
During the interview, he repeatedly mentioned 'win-win' - a win-win situation with the Chinese market and a win-win situation with Chinese technology companies. When commenting on the overall openness policy of the Chinese auto industry, he also mentioned a win-win situation.
Stade told the reporter of China Auto News that China’s reform and opening up policy is very important; the Chinese government’s recently announced policy of full-scale opening of the automobile industry is also a very positive signal, indicating that the Chinese government is willing to promote the full opening of the auto industry. The party noted that there are already effective new policies to promote the realization of full-scale liberalization, such as lowering tariffs, relaxing the restrictions on the number of shares in motor vehicle joint ventures, and removing restrictions on the number of joint ventures. These policies will not affect the development and follow-up of Audi's business in China. Work. Audi's current structure of conducting business with the joint venture in the Chinese market remains unchanged. It will continue to achieve greater results with its partners on the road ahead in the framework of the joint venture company. 'I believe we will continue to maintain the joint venture company's structure. The parties are both win-win and win-win. '
'In the implementation of trade protection policies in some regional markets, China not only maintains openness, but also continuously expands its opening. We believe that such a truly open policy is very good. At the same time, it also shows from a side that Chinese brand companies are already very competitive. With the ability to respond to more fully market-based competition, Steader added.