The Chinese automotive industry witnessed a series of significant collaborations in January 2025, marking a new era of partnerships and advancements. From automakers to suppliers, key players in the industry joined forces to drive innovation and growth. Let’s dive into the details of some of the most notable collaborations that took place during this period:
Automakers
Dongfeng eπ and Huawei Strengthen Collaboration:
Dongfeng eπ, a leading technology-driven electric vehicle brand, signed an intelligent vehicle strategic cooperation agreement with Huawei Technologies. The partnership aims to enhance product development, marketing, and ecosystem services to create a unique intelligent mobility experience and introduce a range of smart vehicle products.
ARCFOX and NIO Power Collaborate on Charging Network Interoperability:
ARCFOX, a premium electric vehicle brand under BAIC Group, partnered with NIO Power to enable charging network interconnectivity. This collaboration allows ARCFOX users to access NIO Power’s extensive charging network through the ARCFOX app or “Charging Bar” mini-program.
smart Joins Forces with DeepRoute.ai for AI Large Model Deployment:
smart announced a strategic cooperation with DeepRoute.ai to develop an intelligent driving-focused AI model. The collaboration focuses on advanced AI research to create an intelligent driving system that enhances vehicles’ capabilities and transforms them into AI intelligent agents.
GAC Group and Huawei Establish New Project Company:
GAC Group announced the establishment of a new project company, GH Project Company, in collaboration with Huawei. The joint venture aims to integrate their strengths in product development, marketing strategy, and ecosystem services to create an innovative automobile brand with cutting-edge technologies.
XPENG and Volkswagen Group Renew Partnership for Super-Fast Charging Networks:
XPENG and Volkswagen Group China signed a strategic partnership to develop super-fast charging networks in China. The collaboration aims to establish the largest super-fast charging network in the country, providing customers access to over 20,000 charging terminals across 420 cities.
Supplier
Horizon Robotics and iMotion Form Strategic Alliance:
Horizon Robotics and iMotion signed a strategic cooperation agreement to collaborate on automotive intelligence technologies and product development. The partnership focuses on delivering innovative smart driving solutions for automakers and expanding into domestic and international markets.
Hesai Technology Secures Mass Production Contracts with Dongfeng Motor and Chery:
Hesai Technology announced exclusive mass production contracts for its LiDAR systems with multiple brands under Dongfeng Motor Group and Chery Automobile. The collaboration aims to integrate Hesai’s advanced LiDAR technology into upcoming vehicle models for enhanced performance and safety.
Schaeffler and XPENG AEROHT Partner for Volume Production of Flying Cars’ Core Parts:
Schaeffler and XPENG AEROHT signed an agreement for the volume production of stator and rotor assemblies for the flight e-drive system of XPENG AEROHT’s flying cars. The collaboration aims to deliver efficient and reliable drive systems for the emerging flying car market.
SAIC Motor and CATL Cement Cooperation in Tech R&D and Battery Swapping:
SAIC Motor and CATL signed an agreement to strengthen their strategic collaboration in technology development, aftermarket services, overseas expansion, and battery-swapping innovations. The partnership aims to develop power battery products tailored to SAIC Motor’s vehicle lineup and explore battery-swapping solutions.
United Nova Technology and GAC AION Establish Joint Lab for Semiconductor Chip R&D:
United Nova Technology and GAC AION set up a joint laboratory to focus on automotive semiconductor research and product development. The collaboration aims to design next-generation automotive semiconductor chips and modules to enhance vehicle performance and efficiency.
Black Sesame Technologies and Alibaba Cloud Deepen Cooperation on Intelligent Automotive Solutions:
Black Sesame Technologies announced a deepened partnership with Alibaba Cloud and Banma to develop integrated cabin-driving solutions for smarter in-vehicle experiences. The collaboration aims to promote seamless integration of smart cockpit and intelligent driving systems for enhanced functionality and efficiency.
These collaborations represent a significant step forward for the Chinese automotive industry, driving innovation, technology development, and market expansion. Stay tuned for more updates on the industry’s exciting advancements.
