Expo highlights joint efforts in NEV development

During the 19th China-ASEAN Expo held in Nanning, capital of South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, new energy vehicles (NEVs) from Chinese carmakers caught visitors' attention.

Cooperation in NEV industrial and value chains between China and ASEAN member countries was also featured during the four-day expo, which ended Sept 19.

At the expo, Chinese electric carmaker Neta, a brand owned by Hozon Auto, showcased its NEV models — Neta S and Neta U — and signed a cooperation agreement with the PTT Public Co Ltd from Thailand on areas including NEV charging pole production and installation.

The signing boosted the confidence of customers in Thailand and other countries in the development of Neta, according to the company.

Neta entered the Thai market in late August this year and opened outlets in several areas in the country.

"We have received more than 5,000 pieces of purchase intention since we started operation in Thailand," said Chen Bao, an executive with Neta's marketing department.

Neta's footprints have mirrored the industrial cooperation involving NEVs between enterprises in China and ASEAN countries.

At a smelting workshop of South Manganese Group Ltd in Chongzuo, Guangxi, manganese ore from Malaysia was processed into electrolytic manganese dioxide before being sold domestically or exported to Japan as raw material for new energy batteries.

Favorable policies such as tariff reductions under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership make the manganese industrial chain connecting China, ASEAN and Japan more competitive in the international market.

With the acceleration of industrial upgrading and economic restructuring in China and ASEAN member countries, cooperation on NEVs and other emerging industries is also gaining momentum.

SAIC General Motors Wuling Motor Indonesia, a local subsidiary owned by major Chinese automobile manufacturer SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) in Indonesia, rolled out an NEV model called the Wuling Air EV at its production base in Bekasi, West Java province of Indonesia, in August, said the company.

SGMW, a joint venture between SAIC Motor, General Motors and Liuzhou Wuling Motors is based in Liuzhou, Guangxi.

In 2017, with a total investment of $1 billion, SGMW's manufacturing base in Bekasi was put into operation. With an area of 60 hectares, it has now been developed into an auto industrial park, which involves a complete auto industrial chain.

"After five years of operation, Wu-ling has become one of the best-selling Chinese auto brands in Indonesia," said Han Dehong, deputy general manager of SAIC General Motors Wuling Motor Indonesia.

Launching the NEV will provide more high-quality auto products and services for Indonesians, and expanding global business is an important strategy for SGMW's development, Han added.