At the 2026 China Auto Forum held in Shanghai's Jiading district from July 21 to 23, You Zheng, Deputy General Manager and Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee of Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd., presented three key proposals to the automotive sector.

First, Unite for Innovation and Scale the Heights of Technology

You Zheng advocated for the industry to form a collaborative innovation community, pooling premium resources to overcome core foundational technologies such as automotive-grade chips, high-performance computing vehicle chips, operating systems, and AI large models, thereby finalizing the path to self-sufficiency and control. Concurrently, he proposed the joint development of high-quality autonomous driving datasets, aiming to propel the industry's cumulative data volume beyond the billion-scale mark to unlock the inherent value of data as a key asset. Furthermore, he suggested leveraging the role of leading industry players to establish green, low-carbon innovation consortiums, building a comprehensive zero-carbon powertrain system.

Second, Collaborate on Global Expansion to Forge a New Image for Chinese Brands

Emphasizing the need to navigate the restructuring of global trade rules, You Zheng recommended that the industry commit to systematic global layout, branded operations, and compliant management as part of brand communication efforts. This unified approach is essential for safeguarding the reputation of Chinese automotive brands and cultivating a group of world-class marques. He also stressed the importance of intensifying research into regulations concerning carbon tariffs and data security to enhance compliance capabilities. By actively participating in the formulation of international standards, the industry can strengthen its voice in global governance, evolving from merely exporting products to exporting standards.

Third, Foster Cross-Industry Integration for Mutual Benefit

You Zheng advised deepening the integration of vehicles with grids, energy systems, and infrastructure to improve the coordinated capabilities of vehicles, roads, clouds, and satellites. This advancement is crucial for supporting high-level intelligent driving. He also called for promoting the development of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) battery swapping models and hydrogen energy systems to achieve bidirectional energy empowerment between vehicles and the grid. Additionally, he highlighted the need to accelerate the commercial application of autonomous driving in scenarios like public transport and ports, thereby propelling the integrated development of smart transportation and smart cities.