The 17th Automotive Lightweight Conference kicked off on October 9th at the Yangzhou National Exhibition Center, drawing renowned experts and industry leaders from both China and abroad. The focus of the conference was to explore the acceleration of lightweight technology applications in the new energy vehicle sector, aiming to drive innovation and foster industrial upgrades. During the opening ceremony, a significant signing event marked the launch of ten automotive and component industry projects, as well as several tech innovation platforms, officially beginning operations in Yangzhou.
In his opening remarks, Wang Jinjian, Secretary of the Yangzhou Municipal Committee, shared, “For many years, the people of Yangzhou have held two dreams: one is to join the ranks of cities with a GDP exceeding a trillion yuan, while the other is to establish Yangzhou as a landmark automotive city.” He stressed the interdependence of these two ambitions, noting that for Yangzhou to achieve its trillion-yuan GDP goal, it must enhance and expand its automotive industry, focusing on upgrades in the overall vehicle sector and the specialization of auto parts. Wang articulated a vision for the automotive and parts industries to reach a scale of 100 billion yuan, fostering a comprehensive ecosystem powered by leading enterprises.
The conference put a spotlight on critical shifts in the automotive industry, propelled by a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Key discussions revolved around energy-saving and lightweight technologies for new energy vehicles, with organizers aiming to promote electrification, intelligence, and connectivity in the automotive space.
Zhang Jinhua, Vice Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology and President of the China Society of Automotive Engineering, highlighted the necessity of strategic planning and technological innovation. He called for a focus on collaborative innovation and the establishment of platforms that facilitate industry development, while also emphasizing the importance of enhancing the application of new technologies, broadening their reach, and creating mechanisms that support market acceptance.
Guo Liping, Secretary of the Party Group and Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Association for Science and Technology, remarked, “Hosting this conference will further encourage Yangzhou to integrate global innovation resources. It will help establish a new model for the innovative development of the automotive lightweight industry and is crucial for nurturing new productive forces in the new energy vehicle sector, while also contributing to the transformation and upgrade of Jiangsu’s automotive industry.”
Since its launch in 2019, the Automotive Lightweight Conference has been held in Yangzhou for five consecutive years. This year’s event, co-organized by the China Society of Automotive Engineering, the Jiangsu Provincial Association for Science and Technology, the Automotive Lightweight Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance, and the Yangzhou Municipal Government, will span three days and feature two main venues, multiple workshops, forums, and over 200 specialized technical reports.
