China – global leader in the automotive industry
China´s automotive industry is the largest in the world in terms of both production and sales. Of particular note is the growth in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, where production and sales each increased by over 12.88 million units. Domestic passenger car brands increased their market share to 65.2%, and is forecasted to reach 70% by 2025.
Anhui Province – China's new automotive powerhouse
Anhui Province has firmly established itself as a key location within the Chinese automotive industry. In 2024, total vehicle production reached 3.57 million units, marking a 43.3% increase compared to 2023. Production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) reached 1.684 million units, accounting for 47.2% of the total. In January and February 2025, Anhui led the national rankings with 444,800 vehicles produced and exported 25% of the country's total vehicle exports. The province is home to some of the world's leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Volkswagen, BYD, NIO, Chery and the JAC Group. Furthermore, 2,700 companies are already established within the industry's value chain, forming a comprehensive ecosystem.
Trend Scouting Mission: Automotive boom in Anhui Province
From 12 to 14 May 2025, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Shanghai organised a Trend Scouting Mission to the up-and-coming Anhui Province to explore the future of the automotive industry. The onboarding session began with informative presentations by automotive industry experts, who helped participants gain an understanding of the latest developments and trends in this dynamic sector. Over the following days, the delegation visited several leading OEMs in Anhui, including Volkswagen Anhui, JAC Group, NIO, BYD, Chery, and the Tier 1 supplier Baolong Automotive. During these visits, participants gained valuable insights into the companies' production processes and innovation strategies. A networking dinner was also held on the second day, providing an opportunity for in-depth discussions with representatives of OEMs, suppliers and the local government. These exchanges deepened participants' understanding of the Chinese automotive industry and provided valuable opportunities for dialogue that could pave the way for future cooperation. Thus, the trip provided an excellent platform for strengthening relations between Austria and China in the automotive sector. During the trip, the eleven Austrian companies, including start-ups and established 'hidden champions', gained insight into the rapid development of the automotive industry in Anhui and explored promising business opportunities.
Further information
If you have any questions about the trend scouting mission, please contact ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Shanghai at any time via email under shanghai@advantageaustria.org.
Focus on “Mobility” at ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Shanghai
Due to the importance of the automotive industry in the Yangtze Delta region, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Shanghai has focused on the Automotive sector for many years. Alongside the Trend Scouting Mission to Anhui, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Shanghai is organising another Trend Scouting Mission focusing on “Intelligent Vehicles” in November 2025. This event aims to help Austrian companies explore current trends in this promising field and generate new growth opportunities. If you have any questions about the automotive industry in China, please don’t hesitate to contact ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Shanghai under shanghai@advantageaustria.org.
