The “Electric Vehicle Forum and Exhibition Seeking Sino-European Cooperation and Partnerships” was recently held at the Cite Internationale Universitaire de Paris (Cite U), France. Nearly 200 guests from the automotive industries of China and Europe engaged in discussions on topics such as green transformation, technological innovation, supply chain optimization, and industrial chain collaboration, aiming to jointly explore new pathways for China-Europe automotive industry cooperation.

The automotive industry stands as one of Hubei's five trillion-yuan pillar industries and serves as the core sector for Wuhan. The Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, celebrated as "China's Auto Valley," was built upon and thrives because of this industry. Currently, Wuhan is home to 11 complete vehicle manufacturers—including Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën, Dongfeng Honda, Voyah, Mengshi Technology, and SAIC General Motors—operating 15 assembly plants alongside over 1,000 auto parts enterprises.

In 2025, the city witnessed the intensive launch of more than 10 new energy vehicles (NEVs), pushing the production share of NEVs past the 50% mark for the first time. This milestone marks a historic transition from combustion engines to electrification. This recent "group expedition" overseas showcased a lineup of intelligent, connected NEVs made in Wuhan, featuring models such as the Mengshi 917, Voyah Dreamer, Voyah Zhiyin, Nammi Box, Lotus Eletre, Lotus Emeya, and XPeng.

The "Wuhan Made, Global Reach" campaign in Paris marks a significant milestone in the acceleration of Wuhan's automotive industry going global. During the event, the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone signed cooperation agreements with prominent European enterprises such as Valeo, ZF, and Fiamm regarding the automotive supply chain. Additionally, Dongfeng Motor Corporation secured a bulk overseas order for 1,000 vehicles, while Lotus Cars inked a partnership deal with European distributors.

The British sports car brand Lotus settled in Wuhan in 2017. Marc Raoul, Head of Western Europe at Lotus, told reporters that the majority of the brand's vehicles currently sold in Europe are manufactured in Wuhan. "In terms of technology—such as the 1000V high-voltage architecture, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and platform development—we benefit greatly from Geely Holding Group's expertise," he said. "Regarding the industrial ecosystem, Wuhan serves as a vital technological hub for us. The automation levels and manufacturing craftsmanship at the local factory are world-class, and we derive immense value from this."

Editor: Nie Yang