In recent years, Chinese automotive brands have made their mark on the global stage, leveraging a “lane-changing overtaking” approach in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. By 2025, BYD has climbed to fourth place worldwide, with 3,606,500 units sold, becoming the sole Chinese brand to break into the global top ten and marking a significant milestone for China’s automotive industry. However, Wei Jianjun, Chairman of Great Wall Motors, sounded a note of caution at the company’s annual meeting, stressing that Chinese automakers have yet to truly establish themselves as premium brands and must remain alert to persistent challenges, including insufficient technological foundations and weak brand溢价 capabilities.

Despite the progress made by domestic brands in the NEV sector, substantial gaps remain when compared to their European and American counterparts in terms of core technology R&D, product quality, and brand influence. For instance, while sales of Chinese-brand passenger vehicles reached 20.936 million units in 2025, boosting their market share to 69.5%, the high-end segment continues to be dominated by joint-venture brands. Furthermore, Chinese automakers still face the need to strengthen their global operations, improve patent quality, and build stronger technological brand identities.

Wei Jianjun emphasized that true premium brands are built on spiritual value, shared beliefs, and trust—attributes that take time to cultivate, rather than being achieved through short-term sales spikes. To transition from being merely “large” to genuinely “strong” in the global arena, China’s automotive industry must continue to innovate in core technologies and elevate its brand value.