Auto Shanghai 2013 Summit Addresses Challenges Facing the Global Auto Industry

Auto Shanghai Summit 2013 (the 3rd session) is held at Shanghai International Convention Center on April 19. As the exclusively authorized forum of the 15th Shanghai Auto Show, this forum, under the theme of “Fuse Positive Energy and Drive Collaborative Innovation”, is honored with the presence of senior leaders from major foreign and domestic automotive industries, prominent economists and diplomatic envoys, and representatives of business societies and associations, who come together to discuss the hot spot topics concerning auto industry development.




In the post-crisis context, the auto market of China has shifted to gradual recovery from the previous rapid growth. Global financial crisis forced new changes on the world economy and sped up economic globalization. To adapt to the new economic situation, the auto industry of China has no choice but to reinforce scientific innovation and upgrade its industrial structure so as to facilitate the leaping from a big manufacturer to a strong innovator. This Summit tries to explore the cooperation and innovation in the context of economic globalization and shall be of strategic significance to the development of Chinese auto industry.

The forum has three major sessions: a panel discussion on “Is the Joint Venture Approach Appropriate for Brand Innovation”, a brainstorming on “Shared Norms of Cooperation for the Reality of Globalization”, and a CEO summit on “the New Global Roles Expected of the Chinese Auto Industry”. Government officials, experts and scholars, and entrepreneurs from leading auto businesses open up discussions on these issues.

The day starts with the panel discussion in the morning when JIANG Yubin, Deputy Dean of Sales Department of Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motors, WANG Ning, General Manager of Iveco China, PANG Qinghua, Chairman and General Manager of Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., Ltd., WU Congjian, Director of Deloitte China Auto Practice, and other distinguished guests explore the approaches to domestic auto brands innovation to support the development of independent brands.




What follows is the brainstorming session under the theme of “Shared Norms of Cooperation for the Reality of Globalization”. The session is highlighted by the presence of ZHANG Aiqun, Senior Vice President of Geely, Jack PERKOWSKI, Founder, Chairman and Managing Partner of JFP Holdings Ltd., Daesung YOON, Executive Managing Director of Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, Albert LAM, Chairman of Detroit Electric USA, Patrick P. STEINEMANN, Managing Director, Co-Head Asia Industrials, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, HK, and other distinguished guests. They discuss how to set new international cooperation rules in the auto industry in the context of globalized economy.

The CEO Summit, under the theme of “The New Global Roles Expected of the Chinese Auto Industry”, is scheduled in the afternoon. Among the speakers are senior executives from Dongfeng Motors, Chang’an Group, BAIC Motor, Guangzhou Automobile Group, and GM International Operations. These senior leaders from major auto businesses contribute to the strategies of internationalization and global development of Chinese auto industry in the midst of transformation.

The keynote speech of the Summit is delivered by Robin BEW, Chief Economist and Editorial Director of the international authoritative magazine the Economist. Robin BEW shares his valuable insights on Chinese auto industry through clarifying the development direction and grasping the global economic situation.

In the global context of economic integration, the development of auto industry calls for concerted efforts and cooperation to respond to the opportunities and challenges and explore the ways of achieving win-win situation. “Auto Shanghai 2013 and the Summit, both on a large scale and at a very high level, have built a wonderful communication platform for our colleagues and peers in the auto industry from different parts of the world”, says WANG Xia, Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Automotive Sub-council, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Shanghai International Auto Industry Exhibition, “I believe Auto Shanghai Summit this year will facilitate its theme of fusing positive energy and driving cooperative innovation and boost the healthy and sustainable development of auto industry.