In brief
The event in Wolfsburg on Oct. 30 brought together roughly 600 participants from China and Germany to focus on electrification, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and autonomous driving. Leaders called for deeper collaboration, especially in batteries and technology, as competition fuels industry advancement. The congress followed the International Suppliers Fair that hosted 45 Chinese suppliers.
In the industrial heart of Wolfsburg, Germany, around 600 representatives from China and Germany gathered on Friday, Oct. 30 for the 10th German‑Chinese Automotive Congress to explore ways to expand cooperation amid a rapid industry transformation.
Olaf Lies, Minister‑President of Lower Saxony, explained that the automotive sector, including its suppliers and technology arms, is undergoing one of its most rapid changes ever. He cited electrification, vehicle digitalization, artificial intelligence in manufacturing and in‑vehicle systems, and autonomous driving as the main drivers of this shift.
"The congress sends a strong signal that cooperation between Germany and China should be deepened," Lies remarked.
Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Technology, urged both sides to keep dialogue open and to build reliable, solid partnerships, noting the labor‑intensive nature of automotive production and the need for joint problem‑solving.
"In the auto industry's current climate, it is very important that German and Chinese companies maintain dialogue and establish reliable and solid partnerships," Schmall said.
Liu Minqiang, Director‑General of the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce, cautioned that competition is not harmful when the industry’s transformation is accelerating. Rather, it fuels upgrades and helps deliver better products and services to customers.
"Competition contributes to the upgrading of the industry and plays a positive role in providing customers with better products and services," Liu stated, urging firms to focus on technology, products, and services.
Lin Dong, Consul General of China in Hamburg, highlighted that collaboration has moved beyond vehicle assembly to include batteries, intelligent connectivity, and new technological breakthroughs.
"Cooperation between Chinese and German auto companies has now gone beyond the conventional domain of complete vehicle production, expanding to areas including batteries, intelligent connection and technological innovations," Lin added.
Expanding the Scope of Collaboration
The congress built on the International Suppliers Fair that kicked off in Wolfsburg earlier in the week. It counted 45 Chinese automotive suppliers, underscoring the growing depth of Chinese participation in the German supply chain.
Participants discussed joint research and development, shared platforms, and cross‑border supply arrangements. They also examined ways to accelerate the deployment of AI‑driven manufacturing techniques and to standardize battery production processes.
While the Congress emphasized electrification and autonomous driving, it also shed light on the broader ecosystem that supports these technologies. Partnerships in battery chemistry research, semiconductor manufacturing, and data‑analytics services were highlighted as critical to maintaining competitiveness.
Both sides agreed that the future of mobility will hinge on seamless collaboration across national boundaries. The meetings reinforced a commitment to joint ventures, technology sharing, and collaborative quality assurance standards.
As the automotive world continues to evolve, the Wolfsburg congress served as a blueprint for how German precision and Chinese scale can come together to shape mobility’s next chapter.