Lian Yubo: China's Auto Industry Enters an Era of Networked Symbiosis; Intelligent-Electric Integration Key to Navigating Uncertainty

From April 11 to 12, 2026, the High-Level Forum on Intelligent and Electric Vehicle Development was held, focusing on the themes of "Intelligentization, Green Transition, Integration, and Internationalization." The forum explored the global automotive industry landscape and cutting-edge technologies such as AI integration in vehicles and chip-based computing power. Lian Yubo, Chief Scientist of BYD Group, Chief Automotive Engineer, and President of the Automotive Engineering Research Institute, stated at the event that China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market penetration rate surpassed 50% in 2025. The industry has now entered a phase of intensified competition with slowing growth, shifting its focus toward replacement purchases by existing users and expansion into overseas markets. Lian noted that the automotive industry has evolved from a traditional "linear supply chain" model into a new "networked symbiosis" ecosystem. Boundaries across the industrial chain have blurred, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, complementary capabilities, and shared value creation have become defining characteristics. The relationship between automakers and suppliers is being redefined, with value now flowing bidirectionally across R&D, manufacturing, services, and user touchpoints—amplified through continuous technological upgrades, iterative user experiences, and brand value enhancement. On the technology front, Lian emphasized that electrification still faces "last-mile" challenges, including charging efficiency, low-temperature performance, and safety. BYD has launched its second-generation Blade Battery and flash-charging technology, aiming to match refueling speeds and resolve low-temperature charging issues. Moreover, he stressed that intelligence should extend beyond the vehicle’s onboard "brain" to include foundational components like the chassis. This requires decoupling the rigid integration of powertrain, chassis, and body systems, enabling vehicles to evolve into intelligent agents deeply integrating energy and AI. Lian proposed that future vehicles will function simultaneously as mobile energy storage terminals and distributed computing units, potentially triggering a fundamental shift in human-machine interaction paradigms. Faced with technological inflection points and uncertain industry boundaries during the upcoming "15th Five-Year Plan" period (2026–2030), BYD remains committed to long-termism—advancing intelligent-electric integration through sustained technological accumulation and systematic innovation capabilities to navigate industry transformation and support high-quality development.