Gasgoo Munich- On November 5, the Wuzhen Automotive Night Talk took place during the 2026 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang. GAC Group General Manager Ge Xianqing told attendees in a keynote speech that the next three to five years will be critical for cementing the auto industry's hierarchy. Competition, he argued, is shifting from sheer scale to pivotal capabilities within the broader ecosystem.
Image Source: GAC Group
"Simply adding more electric models or screens won't sustain a 'radical transformation,'" He said. He believes the convergence of electrification, intelligence, and AI is driving cars to evolve from mere transport tools into smart nodes that link transportation, energy, and communications networks.
In his view, this transformation will unfold along a chain defined by "new technology, new products, new lifestyles, and new industries." As vehicles evolve into smart living spaces, mobile energy storage units, and on-demand mobility carriers, the value boundaries of the traditional auto sector will expand significantly.
The industry's organizational structure is shifting in tandem. He predicts a move from vertical chains to a networked symbiosis, creating a "multi-layer, multi-chain-leader" landscape. In this new paradigm, chips determine computing power, systems define the user experience, and energy dictates costs.
"Scale is no longer a moat; the real barrier is occupying a position in the ecosystem that others cannot bypass," He added. He argued that automakers will essentially become operating companies centered on technological innovation, data, branding, and user relationships.
In response, GAC is adjusting its industrial layout through proprietary R&D and open collaboration. While continuing to invest in core technologies, the group is building the "Qijing" brand with Huawei and deepening synergies with partners like Toyota. This marks a shift in joint ventures from "trading market for technology" to "trading capability for capability." At the same time, GAC is expanding into energy, services, and finance—transitioning from simply selling vehicles to managing the entire lifecycle of the car.
