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

On May 14, Lu Fang, Chairman of VOYAH Automotive Technology Co., Ltd., posted on his personal Weibo account highlighting two significant recent market developments: first, the penetration rate of new energy passenger vehicles exceeded 60% for the first time in April; and second, more than 15 new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers have successively announced price increases. He stated that these two trends confirm his earlier prediction—that 2026 will be the "decisive year" in the competition between NEVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and that the accelerated replacement of ICE vehicles by NEVs has become an irreversible trend. Lu explained that cost pressures stemming from rising raw material prices are being transmitted from the supply chain to the end market, exerting a tangible impact on product pricing—a natural consequence of industrial cycle evolution. He noted that competition in the automotive market has shifted from simply offering "lower prices" to demonstrating greater resilience in supply chains and stronger systemic capabilities. According to him, automakers now face a true test of their systemic strength and innovation capacity. He emphasized that the fundamental way to navigate market volatility lies in possessing full autonomous control across the entire value chain—from research and development, production, and supply to sales and after-sales service. VOYAH is actively optimizing costs and operational efficiency through technological and management innovations to ensure customers consistently receive stable quality, service, and experience regardless of market fluctuations. Lu described this systemic capability as "the greatest certainty." Regarding consumer purchasing decisions, Lu believes that as NEV penetration continues to rise, their advantages in terms of purchase cost, ownership cost, and driving experience are becoming increasingly evident. He advised consumers to choose NEVs, calling it not only a rational decision to reduce total cost of ownership over the vehicle’s lifecycle but also the optimal path to align with consumption upgrades and enhance quality of life.