In brief
The 10th German‑Chinese Automotive Congress in Wolfsburg drew about 600 delegates and underscored the rapid transformation of the auto sector through electrification, AI, and autonomous driving. Leaders from German and Chinese firms, including VW Group and China’s Ministry of Commerce, called for stronger partnership across supply‑chain and technological domains. The congress followed the International Suppliers Fair, where 45 Chinese automotive suppliers showcased their offerings.
The 10th German‑Chinese Automotive Congress convened on October 30, 2026, in Wolfsburg, Germany, uniting roughly 600 participants from both China and Germany to chart new avenues of collaboration amid an industry in swift transformation. The event, which followed the International Suppliers Fair, underscored a shared commitment to advancing electrification, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and autonomous driving as core drivers of future mobility.
"The automotive industry is undergoing one of the biggest and most rapid transformation processes in its history," stated Olaf Lies, Minister-President of the German state of Lower Saxony. He added that the congress signals a strong drive to deepen ties between the two nations as they navigate electrified powertrains, connected vehicles, and vehicle‑to‑everything communication.
Thomas Schmall, chief executive officer of Volkswagen Group Technology, echoed Lies’s sentiment, stressing the importance of ongoing dialogue and solid partnerships to keep pace with competitive pressures. Schmall noted that the post‑congress landscape will likely see intensified joint ventures in battery technology, sensor development, and data‑driven manufacturing.
From the Chinese side, Liu Minqiang, Director‑General of the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce, argued that competition fuels industrial upgrading rather than harm. He urged companies to sharpen their technologies, products, and services, pointing to the congress’s role in catalyzing performance gains for customers worldwide.
"Competition is not detrimental for the automotive industry when transformation is speeding up. Rather, it contributes to the upgrading of the industry and plays a positive role in providing customers with better products and services," Liu said.
Consul General Lin Dong of China’s mission in Hamburg clarified that cooperation has moved beyond conventional vehicle production. He highlighted ongoing joint projects in battery chemistry, intelligent connectivity, and research into autonomous systems. Dong’s remarks reflect a strategic shift toward sharing knowledge and resources across both manufacturing and software domains.
Accelerating Electrification and AI Integration
The congress served as a forum for discussing the convergence of electrification and AI. With battery suppliers from China present at the International Suppliers Fair, the event showcased breakthroughs in lithium‑ion chemistry and energy‑density optimization. These advances are anticipated to support modular battery platforms that can be adapted across various vehicle architectures.
Simultaneously, the emphasis on vehicle digitalisation—spanning from factory automation to in‑vehicle infotainment—demonstrates a holistic approach to integrating AI across the value chain. AI is not only shaping manufacturing processes but also enabling predictive maintenance, supply‑chain optimization, and real‑time traffic management in autonomous cars.
Autonomous driving, in particular, was highlighted as a transformative technology that will redefine passenger mobility. Collaborative research laboratories have already begun protocols for shared data sets, sensor fusion algorithms, and safety testing procedures. These joint ventures aim to meet stringent European safety standards while leveraging China’s expansive testing grounds.
Beyond Vehicle Production: Supply‑Chain and Technological Innovation
Participants highlighted the need to broaden cooperation beyond drivetrain production. Discussions included joint development of smart factory solutions, cloud‑based analytics for predictive maintenance, and open‑source software frameworks to accelerate autonomous navigation.
The 45 Chinese suppliers who exhibited at the International Suppliers Fair are providing critical components such as electric motors, power electronics, and connectivity modules. Their presence substantiates an emerging ecosystem that channels innovation from component level to complete vehicle systems.
While no concrete partnership agreements were announced during the congress, the event set the stage for future joint R&D initiatives. Delegates agreed to form working groups that will explore cross‑border joint procurement, shared intellectual property management, and alignment on regulatory standards.
In sum, the 10th German‑Chinese Automotive Congress crystallized a dual‑narrative: a recognition of the rapid technological shifts reshaping the auto industry and a commitment from key stakeholders in Germany and China to collaborate holistically—across electrification, digitalisation, AI, and autonomous driving—to build a resilient, efficient, and customer‑focused automotive ecosystem going forward.
