NDRC: Will Support Major Auto Groups in Market- and Law-Based M&A Restructuring

On September 11, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) held a press conference to brief on the development of China's intelligent connected new energy vehicle industry. Shao Ji, Deputy Director-General of the Industrial Development Department at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), attended the conference and stated that the NDRC will work with relevant departments to promote quality improvement and upgrading of the industry through four key measures: First, enhancing interdepartmental coordination by focusing on areas such as new electronic-electrical architectures, all-solid-state batteries, automotive operating systems, and intelligent driving. This includes supporting leading enterprises in jointly conducting collaborative R&D with upstream and downstream players in the industrial chain; cooperating with MIIT and other departments on pilot programs for market access of intelligent connected vehicles; and supporting the construction of industry pilot-scale testing platforms and validation capabilities. Second, strengthening standardization leadership. Mandatory standards implemented in July 2026, including "Safety Requirements for Traction Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles," have raised safety requirements for power batteries. Going forward, the standard system will be further improved to address issues such as thermal runaway in power batteries and accidents involving driver assistance systems. Leading enterprises will be encouraged to participate in the formulation and revision of standards, and supervision over product manufacturing consistency will be reinforced. Third, promoting organizational innovation by actively supporting large enterprise groups in carrying out reforms and advancing mergers and acquisitions among enterprises through market-oriented and law-based approaches. Support will also be provided to leading enterprises to integrate R&D, production, and other resources, thereby avoiding homogeneous competition in product design and technology development. Fourth, deepening international cooperation by encouraging collaboration between domestic and foreign enterprises in technology R&D, standard setting, and industrial chain coordination. Foreign-invested enterprises will be supported in jointly developing new energy vehicle models with Chinese partners for global markets, and Chinese automakers will be supported in bringing Chinese products and technologies to the world.