On July 7, 2026, the EU-China Automotive Industry Cooperation Salon was held in Stuttgart, Germany. Gasgoo CEO Zhou Xiaoying delivered a keynote speech analyzing China's auto industry transition from scale advantages to system-level innovation, exploring new opportunities for collaboration between China and Europe in new energy, intelligent technology, and supply chain synergy.
Stuttgart Dialogue: Face-to-Face Exchange on EU-China Auto Supply Chains
On July 7, 2026, in Stuttgart—the heartland of Germany's automotive industry—a high-end salon focused on deep cooperation between EU and China automotive industries opened its doors. The 2026 EU-China Automotive Industry Cooperation Salon, co-organized by relevant EU-China automotive industry institutions, gathered representatives and experts from Chinese and European automotive supply chains for in-depth discussions on new trends in China's auto sector and emerging cross-border collaboration opportunities.
Gasgoo CEO Zhou Xiaoying was invited to attend and deliver a keynote speech titled "The Next Chapter for China's Auto Industry: From Market Scale Advantage to System-Level Innovation." Drawing on Gasgoo's long-term industry research and global market observations, she systematically analyzed how China's automotive industry is transitioning from scale-driven advantages to system-level capabilities centered on electrification, intelligentization, and supply chain collaboration, further exploring how this shift creates fresh opportunities for EU-China automotive cooperation.
Mutual Approach: Why EU-China Cooperation Is Accelerating
In recent years, Chinese automakers have accelerated their expansion into the European market, while European automotive companies have actively sought deeper collaboration with China in new energy vehicles, intelligent technologies, and supply chains. Behind this mutual approach lies a clear logic of complementary strengths:
- China's strengths: High innovation efficiency, rapid market responsiveness, strong user-centricity, and a complete electrification industry chain
- Europe's strengths: Deep engineering expertise, superior product quality, rich brand heritage, and robust standard systems
At a roundtable forum during the Stuttgart International Symposium on Automotive Technology, Zhou engaged in discussions with representatives from ZF Group, Mahle Group, Hoosier Power, and the Ministry of Transport of Baden-Württemberg on the topic "How to Combine China's Momentum in Automotive Development with Germany's Precision and Rigor." Participants agreed that significant potential exists for deeper collaboration in digital transformation, technological innovation, and industrial synergy.
| Cooperation Dimension | China Advantages | Europe Advantages | Synergy Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrification | Battery technology, complete three-electric system chain | Vehicle engineering, chassis tuning | Joint development of NEV platforms |
| Intelligentization | AI algorithms, data scale, rapid iteration | Functional safety, software architecture | Integration of intelligent driving systems |
| Supply Chain | Cost efficiency, flexible manufacturing | Lean management, quality systems | Enhanced global supply chain resilience |
| Market | Consumer insights, channel innovation | Brand premium, service networks | Bidirectional market access |
From Trade to Symbiosis: The Evolution of China's Auto Export Model
Zhou pointed out that China's automotive industry is undergoing a profound paradigm shift—from "scale advantage" to "system-level innovation." This transformation is reflected not only in the growth of vehicle exports but also in the globalization of supply chain layouts.
During the salon, Zhou also visited companies including Bofu Electronics, Joyson Electronics Europe, and Mann+Hummel, exchanging views on European market trends, localization strategies, AI applications, green and low-carbon development, and global supply chain coordination. She also met with the European team of China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC), reaching preliminary consensus on international cooperation, industry research, and joint forum initiatives.
China's automotive supply chain strategy is reshaping the global industrial landscape. Through the "vehicles plus supply chain" export model, Chinese companies are not only exporting products but also helping partner countries build localized automotive industry ecosystems. This model transcends pure trade relationships, encompassing infrastructure development, technology transfer, and regional manufacturing capacity enhancement, providing new pathways for the long-term resilience and sustainability of the global EV supply chain.
As a comprehensive service platform for the global automotive industry, Gasgoo has long been dedicated to advancing the global automotive industrial chain through organizing overseas forums, participating in international exhibitions, publishing research reports, and conducting global exchanges. Participation in this EU-China Automotive Industry Cooperation Salon marks another step in Gasgoo's mission to deepen international exchange and collaboration. For in-depth analysis of EU-China automotive supply chain cooperation, visit EX1000.COM.
