China's auto industry must develop its own brand

Do Chinese cars need to build their own brands? This is a question that has sparked a lot of debate. Some argue that if a car simply carries a "Chinese" name and is built locally, it will succeed in the market. Others strongly believe that China must develop its own automotive brands to ensure long-term growth and independence. So why is building a strong, independent brand so important? Let’s take a look at some real-world examples. For instance, a well-known German automaker requires that all materials used in its Chinese showrooms be imported from Germany. Similarly, the price of spare parts sold in China is often significantly higher than in the domestic market. These practices highlight how foreign brands can maintain control over their products and profits, even when operating in a different country. What does a brand really mean? A brand represents ownership, influence, and control. Whoever owns the brand sets the standards, controls pricing, and holds the final decision-making power. In other words, a strong brand gives you the leverage to shape the market, not just follow it. This is why many Chinese executives working in joint ventures are among the strongest advocates for developing independent brands. They understand the challenges of relying on foreign names and the limitations they face. Their experiences have shown them the risks of not having control over their own identity in the global automotive industry. According to recent data, in the first half of 2003, China produced and sold 960,000 vehicles. That’s an impressive number, especially considering that total sales in 2002 were only 1.09 million. If this trend continues, within a decade, China's auto market could surpass 10 million units, making it one of the largest in the world alongside the United States. But here's the problem: when we were selling just 10,000 cars, we needed to be open to foreign investment. Now, with demand reaching millions, we still lack a truly independent Chinese brand. Imagine a future where China is the world’s biggest car market, but no Chinese brand exists on its own soil. That would be a serious issue—not just economically, but also strategically. In 2002, China's car production surpassed South Korea, which has well-known brands like Hyundai and Kia. But what about us? South Korea’s success shows that national support is crucial for building strong, independent brands. However, in China, the three major state-owned enterprises—FAW, SAIC, and Dongfeng—have been heavily influenced by foreign partners. Their original mission to revitalize domestic assets has already been fulfilled, and now they’re burdened with too many responsibilities to focus on brand development. Instead of continuing to support the "Big Three," the government should prioritize supporting smaller, more agile companies like Chery, Brilliance, and Geely. These firms may be weaker today, but they're taking the right path toward building their own brands. As one chairman once said, they're making "a giant leap" forward. If China doesn’t accelerate the development of its own brands in the next three to five years, it may never achieve a true domestic automotive identity. Supporting the "Big Three" isn’t the solution. The hope for China’s auto industry lies in backing the "three alternatives"—the smaller, innovative companies that are pushing for independence. In short, building a strong brand is not just about marketing—it’s about control, influence, and long-term sustainability. And for China, it’s time to move beyond imitation and start creating something truly its own.

High Precision Injection Molding

Injection Plastic Molding,precision plastic injection molding parts,Plastic Injection mold Mold

Binsen Hardware and Plastic Co.Ltd , https://www.binsenmolds.com