Gasgoo Munich-As the 15th Five-Year Plan kicks off in 2026, China’s automotive industry stands at a critical juncture in its transition from a manufacturing giant to a powerhouse. The development challenges surfacing during this structural shift demand urgent solutions.
On March 17, Gasgoo learned that Great Wall Motor Chairman Wei Jianjun has been systematically exploring the concept of "establishing trust." By dissecting the industry's current landscape, he argues that building credibility is the cornerstone of high-quality industrial growth. Drawing on corporate practice, he outlined actionable pathways to guide the sector's upgrade.
Image source: Great Wall Motor
While China continues to lead the world in vehicle production and sales with significant scale advantages, the industry still grapples with profound, multi-layered challenges. Wei Jianjun identifies four core issues the sector must confront head-on:
Automakers must return to the essence of value creation and foster healthy, orderly relationships with capital. Their primary focus should shift to core competencies like technological R&D and product quality improvement.
The market needs to abandon disorderly competition and restore respect for the rules. It is vital to hold the bottom line on product quality and safety to rebuild consumer confidence in the industry.
Upstream and downstream players must break free from zero-sum thinking to build a symbiotic, win-win ecosystem. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) should empower the supply chain rather than squeezing it, thereby solidifying the industry's foundation.
Global expansion requires a shift from simply exporting products to integrating the entire industrial chain locally. Lasting brand trust must be built through deep localization, rather than short-term commodity dumping.
Addressing the need to evolve from big to strong, Wei Jianjun proposes a central thesis: "Establish credibility first, then establish the industry." He argues that credibility is key to lowering transaction costs and boosting overall efficiency. Since the essence of business is the flow of credit, a stable system of trust can effectively reduce unnecessary costs in cooperation and broaden the industry's room for growth.
Image source: Great Wall Motor
Furthermore, as technology becomes easier to replicate and competition intensifies, a company's values and credibility form a competitive barrier that is difficult to copy. They are also the essential foundation for the industry's long-term, healthy development.
To translate the concept of credibility into tangible action, Wei Jianjun outlines a three-pronged approach based on Great Wall Motor's own experience.
On the user front, companies must uphold a spirit of responsibility and stick to quality baselines. They should take ownership of product issues without deflection, building trust through concrete action. On the industry front, the focus should be on coordinated development. By pushing component subsidiaries to operate independently and compete in the global supply chain, the entire ecosystem improves, creating a "community of credit." On the global front, Great Wall Motor adheres to a full-industry-chain "ecological outbound" model. This involves localizing the entire loop—from R&D and production to supply, sales, and service—in regions like Thailand and Brazil. The goal is to deeply integrate industry and culture into local markets, positioning Chinese brands as trusted local partners.
Drawing on long-term observation and practice, Wei Jianjun issued a proposal to the entire Chinese automotive sector. He calls on the industry to abandon short-termism and adhere to long-term principles. Credibility must be woven into every aspect of corporate operations. As products and talent go global, he urges that culture follows suit, enhancing the recognition of Chinese brands in the global marketplace.
