Focus on the Future 17th Annual Inside China Automotive Conference

Focus on the Future
Automotive Research Conferences

17th Annual Inside China Automotive Conference

November 13, 2024

9am to 12:30pm

University of Michigan North Campus Research Complex,

2800 Plymouth Rd. Bldg. 18, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

This conference will be hybrid with options

to attend in person or to view via a YouTube livestream.

As we plan for our 17th Annual Inside China conference, we can look back on how China’s auto industry has changed from hundreds of companies making gas vehicles, many with the help of joint ventures with global automakers to over 200 auto companies with many building New Energy Vehicles with no relationship with global automakers. In fact, the share of gas vehicles sold by foreign automakers has drastically decreased over the past five years. The global automakers built tremendous capacity in China that is either already reduced or being reduced. Not only are global auto companies, manufacturers and suppliers, facing more competition than ever, they’re feeling the uncertainty of geopolitical relationships between China and the West.

To better understand how automotive companies are managing this uncertainty, this year’s conference will focus on auto companies that are currently working in China, both domestic and foreign. Our speakers will provide an informed perspective on what they see happening now and in the near future. We’ll cover as many of the topics of interest to the automotive community including: trade, consumer attitudes, energy, vehicle quality, manufacturing strategies, and sales and production

Some of the questions we will address will include:

· How will global automakers adjust their strategies in China?

· Are the Chinese joint venture brands ready to “go it alone” without their global partners?

· What’s the status of autonomous vehicles in China?

· Are NEVs so far along that the government no longer needs to subsidize them?

· Are non-monetary incentives for NEVs still needed?

· What types of EVs are selling well in China?

· Which Chinese companies are the most successful in globalizing their brands?

· How is the energy sector supporting NEVs in charging stations and power plants?

· Are global suppliers having the same difficulty selling in China as are the global manufacturers?

Confirmed Speakers include:

Bruce Belzowski, Managing Director, Automotive Futures will moderate the conference and provide an overview of the current Chinese market and his group’s recent research on New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).

Stephen Dyer, Partner & Managing Director at AlixPartners, Co-Leader of Greater China, will discuss the current and future Chinese automotive industry in his presentation entitled, “Look Out World, China’s Automakers Are Coming of Age,”

Michael Smitka , Washington and Lee University (Emeritus) and Automotive News PACE Award for Supplier Innovation judge, will discuss his latest review of EV sales in China across the many companies that are succeeding and failing in the China market.

Yun Luo, Ex-Continental Avs Managing Director, SophonX LLC and prior Senior Executive of Continental and Hella, will talk about his recent experience working in China and provide an update on autonomous vehicle technologies and company and government strategies for AVs.

Kyle Sullivan, Vice President, Business Advisory Services, at the US China Business Council will bring his knowledge of US China trade relations to our discussion of the current and future China automotive industry. Kyle spent 12 years in China working with Chinese and US clients who are trying to sell in each market.

We are also inviting suppliers and manufacturers and suppliers to present their current views on AI in the auto industry

Meet the Speakers

If you have an interest in meeting with any of our speakers, we will facilitate the connection. Just let us know your interest.

Registration

Automotive Futures Affiliates and UM Students, Faculty, and Staff, and Media: FREE

For all others: $200 (Unchanged since our first conference in 2008)

Register at: www.automotivefutures.org

Sponsorship

Companies or groups interested in sponsoring this conference, please contact Bruce Belzowski at bbl@umich.edu or 734-255-6274.

Inside China Affiliate Sponsors

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