Autoindustrie: Aufseher besorgt über Geschwindigkeit chinesischer Autokonzerne

Chinese automobile manufacturers are aiming to bring new models to market even faster in the future, but their ambitions are facing increasing resistance from regulatory authorities. These authorities are scrutinizing the industry's safety and testing procedures in light of the rapid pace of innovation. The growing competition and shrinking margins could make the use of artificial intelligence a new industry standard.

According to estimates from automobile designer IAT Automobile Technology and the Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), entirely new models could enter the market within 18 months in the future. Currently, the development process takes about two years. Established foreign competitors take around three to five years.

The rapid development speed of Chinese manufacturers has set new global standards. At the same time, there is growing concern that the rapid innovation pace might overwhelm both the regulatory oversight and the companies' capacities for quality control. Within the industry, discussions are increasingly focusing on whether the shortened development times could tarnish the reputation of Chinese brands, particularly as they expand into foreign markets such as Europe.

China's regulatory authorities have shifted their focus to safety and have launched a one-year campaign that includes unscheduled inspections of automobile manufacturers. Customers are also being turned into test drivers. This assessment aligns with recent statements by managers of manufacturers Geely, Great Wall Motor, and Chery.

Due to the shortened development times, models are sometimes tested by customers, who must assess the durability and safety of the vehicles in real-world driving conditions. "Cars are not fast fashion items. They affect the safety of millions of families and must prove themselves under various road and climatic conditions, as well as different driving habits worldwide," wrote Li Xueyong, vice president of Chery, in a social media post on August 26.

Following several sensational fatal accidents, China has already tightened regulations for batteries, advanced driver assistance systems, and door handles. The country is currently experiencing the largest vehicle recall in its history, with Tesla and eight other automobile manufacturers required to repair over 4.27 million electric vehicles to meet new requirements for door systems.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is also monitoring complaints on the internet, reported two executives of a Chinese automobile manufacturer who did not want to be named. They had contacted the regulatory authority after several models of their company received complaints due to a defect. At that point, the company had not organized spare parts and had not coordinated with dealerships and workshops.

About a month after the problems began, an official recall was issued. In the first half of the year, the Chinese automotive market was flooded with hundreds of new and revised models. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is being rapidly integrated into every aspect of the automotive supply chain. "Speed has become an integral part of the business model of China's auto industry, and consumers expect rapid product renewal," said Bill Russo, founder of the Shanghai-based consulting firm Automobility.