Huawei at Beijing Motor Show 2020 Shows Potential to Become a Comprehensive Supplier of Connected Vehicles

Beijing Motor Show 2020 kicked off on September 26th and ended on October 5th. The event was delayed 5 months due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus. With the cancellation of motor shows in Geneva, New York, Detroit and Paris in 2020, the Beijing Motor Show has gained more attention. Through this motor show, China seems to be aiming to promote the containment of the new coronavirus and the V-shaped recovery of the Chinese automobile sales at home and abroad.

The theme of this year’s Beijing Motor Show was “SMART VEHICLE FOR THE FUTURE.” Companies promoted their latest models as well as the latest technologies such as connected and autonomous driving. All major Chinese and foreign automakers exhibited at the event. There were relatively many new-energy vehicles and SUVs as well as many technology exhibits related to environmental regulations and connected and autonomous driving.

The number of major parts manufacturers at the event has decreased significantly from 32 at the previous event in 2018 to 14 companies. Chinese multinational technology company Huawei, which has been attracting worldwide attention due to the intensifying trade friction between the United States and China, exhibited at the Beijing Motor Show this time following the Shanghai Motor Show of the previous year, becoming a hot topic in industry circles. In recent years, the company has been developing connected technologies in partnership with automobile manufacturers. Huawei showcased intelligent cockpit solution, intelligent driving solution, mPower electric solution (including in-vehicle charging system, electric drive system, BMS, etc.), connected and other technologies at the show, further increasing its presence in the automobile market.

Huawei is promoting ICV (Intelligent Connected Vehicle) business under the Intelligent Vehicle Business Unit newly launched in May 2019. By focusing on ICT (Information and Communication Technology) operations, the company aims to become a comprehensive supplier for ICV. As of September 2020, the number of developers of the Intelligent Vehicle Business Unit has already reached 4,000 people. In the same month, Huawei’s Rotating Chairman* Xu Zhijun, announced that the company would invest more than 500 million USD in the Intelligent Vehicle Business Unit by the end of 2020. The company is prepared to run in the red in the initial period and has shown its willingness to prepare abundant funds for further promotion of automobile-related businesses.