Gasgoo Munich- On April 12, at the 2026 Smart EV Development High-Level Forum, Peng Qianlei, Global General Manager of the Deepal L06, outlined the high-quality development direction for China's auto industry during the "15th Five-Year Plan" and the differentiation trends expected by 2026. He also revealed Deepal's technical strategy, market performance, and future roadmap, emphasizing a commitment to democratizing technology driven by electrification, intelligence, and ecosystem integration.
Peng noted that during the "15th Five-Year Plan," China's auto industry is shifting from sheer scale expansion to high-quality growth. New energy and intelligent connectivity are serving as dual engines, while frontier technologies like solid-state batteries, AI, and low-carbon manufacturing are driving industrial change. The ecosystem is evolving toward full-chain integration, and global expansion continues to deepen.
Image source: China EV 100
The industry enters a critical phase of differentiation in 2026. More than 250 new passenger car models are expected to launch, with new energy vehicles accounting for over 87% of the mix. While China's auto export growth is poised to hold around 10%, headwinds from geopolitics and rising raw material costs remain.
He emphasized that the future industry will pivot around three core trends. Electrification has already surpassed a 50% penetration rate, with the market projected to reach 17 million units by 2030; domestic brands now command over 60% market share. On intelligence, AI-driven algorithms are displacing traditional rule-based systems, with driver assistance expected to become standard by 2030, creating a trillion-yuan ecosystem through vehicle-energy-road-cloud integration. Finally, the ecosystem trend sees the car evolving from a mere tool into a connected hub for the Internet of Everything.
On the performance front, as Deepal marks its fourth anniversary, the brand is on track to hit a 1 million sales milestone this year. March sales climbed to 31,742 units — an 87.8% month-on-month surge — with the L06 jumping 70% and the S05 accumulating over 190,000 global sales. Technologically, Deepal has secured more than 1,500 patents and produced over 1 million units of its Yuanli Super Integrated Electric Drive. Notably, it received China's first official L3 autonomous driving license and is poised to launch large-scale public trials soon.
Regarding product strategy, the Deepal L06 — China's first vehicle equipped with magnetorheological suspension — is priced under 150,000 yuan and comes standard with LiDAR and a 3-nanometer in-vehicle chip, embodying the brand's commitment to democratizing technology. The upcoming S07 Huawei Qiankun Laser Edition will feature City NCA (Navigation on Autopilot), bringing laser-guided smart driving to the masses. Additionally, Deepal is building a comprehensive ecosystem through deep collaborations with Huawei and CATL, with a major strategic partnership announcement set for next week.
Peng stated that as the source of Changan Group's electrification and intelligence technologies and a core engine for its global expansion, Deepal will continue to leverage innovation to build a youthful, mid-to-high-end new energy brand. He also called on the industry to improve the public discourse environment and ensure fair development, helping China's automotive sector transition from a major player to a global powerhouse.
