Chinese EV makers steer global auto innovation

"Cameras are cheaper than putting many radars, so that's why we are looking at this," Aggarwal said. "Chinese EV makers develop vehicles at a very fast pace. They have almost cut development time in half compared with the rest of the world."

While electrification dominates the global narrative, Chinese automakers are also demonstrating technological diversity. Great Wall Motor (GWM) drew attention at CES by unveiling a self-developed four-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, an unconventional move in an era dominated by downsizing and electrification.

Yet the company's core competitiveness still lies in hybrid innovation. It was reported that GWM's Hi4 intelligent hybrid electric system, featuring a unique all-wheel-drive configuration with both series and parallel modes, has already been deployed in more than 410,000 vehicles.

"This is a very unique configuration," Yvan Le Neindre, GWM's chief engineer told China Daily. "Not many OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) offer this kind of combination. We are probably the first to release it."

On the global stage, GWM is accelerating the expansion of its overseas R&D, manufacturing and supply networks, building a diversified product portfolio across multiple powertrains. Models such as the TANK 700, WEY 07 highlight its strengths in off-road and intelligent new energy segments, while production bases and assembly factories in regions including Southeast Asia, Eurasia and Latin America support its growing global footprint.

Neindre attributed such breakthroughs to China's intensely competitive market, where short development cycles and constant iteration have become the norm.

"We come from a very competitive market, and it forces us every year to come up with new ideas and continuously improve," he said, adding that restrictions on Chinese EVs in the US market remain "a regret".

renali@chinadailyusa.com