China’s auto industry continues to impress global experts with its speed, innovation, and growing technological strength, according to Jochem Heizmann, former member of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management and former CEO of Volkswagen Group China.
Speaking during the ongoing China-Germany Automotive Conference in Changchun, Jilin province, Heizmann expressed his admiration for the progress achieved by FAW-Volkswagen and other joint ventures.
“The new models, the production capacity, and the strong R&D capability all show the achievements of our joint ventures in China over the past decades,” he said, noting that his first visit to Changchun was 35 years ago.
Heizmann praised China’s transformation, particularly its advances in electric and intelligent vehicle technologies, which he said have ‘set new benchmarks’ for the global auto industry.
He emphasized that both China and Germany have much to learn from each other, Germany from China’s digital innovation and pace, and China from Germany’s engineering and precision. “Overall, cooperation between the two countries will continue to drive future success,” he added.
Highlighting plug-in hybrids built on dedicated electric platforms as a ‘promising technology,’ Heizmann said they offer an effective balance between electric city driving and long-distance travel. He encouraged the German automotive sector to study China’s rapid progress in this field.
He also endorsed the concept of “combining German quality with Chinese speed,” saying China’s efficiency from R&D to production and market rollout far surpasses traditional European timelines. “Over the past decades, I’ve seen how fast things can develop in China. It’s something we’re learning from,” Heizmann said.
Reaffirming his confidence in China’s integral role in global automotive supply chains, Heizmann stressed the need for reliability and collaboration.
“It is extremely important to maintain reliable and balanced cooperation among China, Europe, and the United States,” he said. “Global supply chains depend on trust and stability, and such international collaboration will remain essential for the entire automotive industry.”
The ninth China-Germany Automotive Conference, which opened on Wednesday, gathered about 300 representatives from both countries’ auto industries, including more than 60 experts from Germany.
First launched in 2017 by the Investment Promotion Agency of China’s Ministry of Commerce and German industry associations, the conference has become a key institutional platform promoting cooperation across the China-Germany automotive and supply chains.
The 10th edition of the conference will be held in October 2026 in Wolfsburg, Germany, the global headquarters of Volkswagen.
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