Lufang, Chairman of Voyah Auto, Calls 2026 the Decisive Year for New Energy vs. ICE Vehicles

On May 14, Lu Fang, Chairman of Voyah Automobile Technology Co., Ltd., stated that 2026 will be the decisive year in the battle between new energy vehicles (NEVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, emphasizing that the accelerated replacement of ICE vehicles by NEVs has become an irreversible trend. He pointed out two significant recent market developments: first, the penetration rate of NEV passenger cars surpassed 60% in April—a historic milestone; second, more than 15 NEV manufacturers have successively announced price increases. According to Lu, these developments confirm his earlier assessment. Lu explained that cost pressures stemming from rising raw material prices will inevitably be passed on to the end market, exerting a tangible impact on product pricing—a natural law in industrial cycle evolution. This round of price hikes signals a shift in market competition from "who can offer lower prices" to "whose supply chain resilience and overall systemic capabilities are stronger." For automakers, the real test lies in their systemic strength and innovation capabilities, not merely whether they raise prices or not. He also noted that as NEV penetration continues to rise, their advantages in terms of purchase cost, operating cost, and driving experience are becoming increasingly evident. Choosing an NEV is not only a rational decision to reduce total cost of ownership over its lifecycle but also the optimal choice for aligning with consumption upgrades and enhancing quality of life. Additionally, Lu previously remarked that against the backdrop of global automotive markets entering an era of stock competition and NEV transformation, profitability challenges are not limited to Chinese NEV makers—global mainstream automakers such as Volkswagen, Toyota, and Stellantis are likewise grappling with profitability issues.