Leaked Letters from Eight Automakers Reveal Global Expansion and AI as Key to Breaking Through by 2026

Facing intense competition in a market projected to reach 35 million vehicles, eight automakers—including NIO, XPeng, Geely, and Changan—have recently issued internal company-wide letters outlining their strategic directions for 2026. The stark gap between automakers' ambitious growth targets and conservative forecasts from market analysts has intensified industry "involution." To break through, most automakers are prioritizing two core strategies: "going global" and embracing "AI." On one hand, they are accelerating overseas expansion to hedge against domestic competitive pressures; on the other, they are significantly increasing investments in artificial intelligence to build technological moats and secure an early advantage in the next phase of automotive intelligence. This pivotal battle—centered equally on scale and technology—is reshaping the landscape of China's auto market.