Domestic Automotive Brand Drives Parts Innovation

At present, the development of parts and components has become an important factor restricting the development of China's auto industry. At the "2006 China Automotive Autonomous Innovation Development Forum" recently held, relevant persons from the Ministry of Science and Technology and domestic car brand manufacturers discussed the issue of technological innovation.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Shang Yong:

Taking clean cars as the focus of independent innovation

To strengthen independent innovation, the key is to have an independent spirit and innovation.

South Korea’s innovation in the automotive industry and information industry over the years has had a lot of experience worth learning.

The most expensive part is the implementation of the independent innovation strategy. The root of this is the spirit of self-reliance and innovation. We must strengthen the independent innovation of the automobile industry. We must abandon the mentality of being inferior to others and establish a national self-confidence that we dare to transcend. We must abandon the adherence mentality of adopting a doctrine and establish a national spirit of independent innovation; we must abandon the impetuous mentality of quick success and instant profit. We must establish an arduous spirit of perseverance.

We are now in the stage of market-for-technology. Under the pattern of international competition, if we cannot create our own brand and cannot master core intellectual property, our market will not only fail to replace advanced technology, but also our tuition fees will be paid. More importantly, under the conditions of economic globalization, we may have to be in a very passive position in international competition. Now there is still a bad phenomenon, that is to mention self-innovation, even some of the introduced technology is also called independent innovation, and some small changes are also called independent innovation. Therefore, it is not enough just to have such spirit and courage. We must also have the spirit of down-to-earth, pragmatic, and pragmatic. At the same time, in the process of our own innovation, we may suffer from various aspects of foreign companies, including the monopoly of patents. We are here. Can a strong confidence be established in this situation? This is a very critical issue.

We also need to choose the right path for innovation. Now we are just in time for a good opportunity for the replacement of an automotive technology. If we want to surpass technology, we should seize clean energy and clean cars as the focus of our independent innovation. Because our country’s development is constrained by the environment, we, as a major automobile country, may become the world’s number one car in a short period of time. Large countries, but also a big energy-consuming country, so the development of clean and energy-saving cars, is the direction of our automotive industry, is the focus of our industrial policy encouragement, clean energy-saving cars is our industry opportunities.

Mei Yonghong, Deputy Director of the Department of Policy and System Reform of the Ministry of Science and Technology:

The auto industry must take the road of independent innovation

For many years, people in China, whether in the economic or technological world, have been skeptical or even critical of independent innovation. Today, this situation has undergone great changes. Independent innovation and the construction of innovative countries have been identified as national strategies. However, the debate surrounding this issue is far from over.

In fact, we believe that independent innovation does not mean the level of existing technology and the strength of its capabilities, but the path to gaining innovation and competitive advantage. The question is what method and means should we adopt in order to shorten this as soon as possible. The gap, and even the fact that it will come from behind, is a substantive issue that we need to discuss.

The formation of independent innovation strategy is based on the general laws of technological growth. Today's technological powers have all experienced a process from weak to strong, but no country has become stronger by purely technological advancement, and no country has become strong following the comparative advantage theory.

For a country, technology may be able to buy, but technical capabilities can't be bought. International experience shows that technological capabilities must be endogenous, must come from organized technology learning and digestion, and come from continuous innovation practices. As early as 1926, Mexico had begun to use the CKD model to assemble Volt cars. However, they have not cultivated their own design and manufacturing capabilities and have not cultivated their own car brands.

The reason that today's developed countries are able to occupy the high end of the international industrial division of labor and have the advantage in international competition lies in the fact that they have the technical and technical capabilities that others do not have. We certainly admit our own gaps, but we must find ways to shorten this gap, and then go tough and persistent, otherwise we can only attach to others. However, the development path of some countries tells us that the dependency-based development path is a dead end that can never be passed. This principle is true for the country and the same for the automotive industry.

Li Lizhong, Deputy General Manager of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.:

Engine Gearbox Automotive Electronics Innovation

On January 10, 2006, we launched the launch of the Chery A520. Chery completed the autonomous development of the car and fully owned its own intellectual property rights. The engine is developed by us. The entire body including the shape and structure is also our own. This is of great significance to us. Starting from this car, Chery really took the road to self-development.

Chery now adheres to the spirit of independent innovation and extensively integrates human resources.

There are several key directions for independent innovation. In this engine block, we have planned about three series. One is a small displacement, and the maximum is 1.3L. This is the most basic model, with 1.0L below. Several new cars this year are 1.3L displacement, equipped with this engine. The second one is a family with 2.0L as the basic equipment. We went down to 1.6L. In addition, we have finished trial production of the 3.0L V6 engine. We have already carried out experiments on the vehicle. These are the gasoline engine series. The third series is the diesel engine series. While developing the gasoline engine, we developed the diesel engine. The 1.9L engine has already been developed, and there is a 1.3L diesel engine.

In the gearbox, we have two gearboxes. The products that are currently under development have come out. They are QR519 and AMT. The latter CVT is our cooperation with foreign countries. Now we have probably done 8 sets and we are already in the experiment. It is completely self-developed. In addition, Chery is also very concerned about automotive electronics. Earlier we had a Chery investment company that invested in many parts and components companies. We invested in nearly 30 core companies. Some of our companies have been doing automotive electronics products like Instrumentation, body controls, car audio and engine control systems. We are also doing our own EFI system, in addition to the lighting system and the Bluetooth system.

In terms of human resources, we started with domestic experts and old experts. Then we introduced some overseas students and some overseas experts. Now we are going to the second and third steps and gradually go to perfect our independent research and development capabilities.

Fan Zhong, deputy general manager of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd.:

Independent innovation and openness complement each other

We believe that the definition of independent innovation includes the following implications: First, independent innovation is the use of all available resources to form systems, mechanisms, products, and technological competitiveness, and to create continuous innovation capabilities. . Second, the definition of innovation should not be confined to the technical field. It should also include management innovation and business model innovation. Third, independent innovation is not self-innovation, not everything. Innovation should focus on the management of R&D process and organization under the premise of mastering core technologies and possessing intellectual property rights. Fourth, the ultimate goal of self-innovation is to control the core parts of the value chain and establish influential independent brands. However, we should also soberly realize that independent innovation and reform and opening up are mutually reinforcing relationships. It cannot be mentioned that self-innovation is self-contained, and in the absence of openness, independent innovation cannot be successful, and it should be clearer to this point. Awareness. In addition, independent innovation should be based on absorbing the advanced technological achievements made by mankind. We cannot repeat what we have already done. It is meaningless.

We believe that independent innovation must adhere to the three principles. First, innovation should be independent innovation under the premise of China’s reform and opening up, and it must not be opposed to reform and opening up. Joint ventures do not equate to abandoning independent innovation. Within a joint venture, it should also be possible for us to achieve independent innovation and our own research and development. It should be said that joint ventures are an important organizational form of independent innovation in China, and therefore adhere to the self-opening model. It is our most basic point of view. Second, adhere to market-oriented principles. Third, adhere to the principle of profitability.

Zhu Huarong, vice president of Changan Automobile (Group) Co., Ltd.:

Innovation must have a system as a guarantee

We believe that in order to carry out independent innovation, we must first emancipate our minds, change our concepts, and strengthen our confidence in independent innovation. We must work hard in three areas. The first is to break through ideological obstacles and implement a “dry” word.

The second is to break the concept of conservative, highlighting a "闯". The third is to break through the fear of fear and emphasize a "daring" word.

We believe that only a sound organization and a sound system can ensure the smooth progress of independent innovation. To this end, innovations have also been made in the construction of the organization system: First, establish and improve independent innovation organizations. Chang'an focuses on establishing product development organizations with clear interfaces and clear functions, and forms three distinct organizational structures. The first layer is the core development layer; the second layer is the establishment of product planning layer, the establishment of the marketing department and product planning committee, responsible for the study of market information, the development of market countermeasures and product planning, to provide early guidance for the development of new products; the third layer is to establish Production, technical support.

The second is to establish and improve independent research and development system. The third is to establish and improve the independent innovation protection mechanism. Formulated "Administrative Measures for Technology Development Projects", "Administrative Measures for Technological Development Fees", "Administrative Measures for New Product Appraisals", "Management Measures for Designers of Technology Development Projects", and "Approved Projects for the Research and Development of Automobile Subsidiary Company's Automobile/Engine Products The "Management Measures" and other new product development management systems have improved the scientific and technological achievements conversion system such as the "Measures for the Conversion of Scientific and Technological Achievements", the "Measures for the Identification of Scientific and Technological Achievements," "Science and Technology Progress Awards," and the "Technology Innovation Awards," and "Disciplines Leading Persons Management Measures and other personnel cultivation and management systems have established a strong control and efficient management protection mechanism for the development of new products.

Wan Gang, head of the 863 electric vehicle group of the Ministry of Science and Technology:

The vehicle takes the lead to develop components

In our country's implementation of the major scientific and technological projects for electric vehicles, we established the principle of “leading the vehicle and developing components at the same time” and required the vehicle unit to work with key component companies to develop a rigorous and coordinated parallel research and development process.

In the special first round, the special teams requested that each vehicle company organize three key components of different technology routes to cooperate. In the second and third rounds of research and development, the specific industrialization goals were more clearly defined, and the principle of vehicle leadership was further strengthened. Among the various parts of the power system, between the power system and the vehicle body and the driving system, research and development, design, Functional, control and matching aspects are more integrated and coordinated.

In 2002, we had only 30 kilowatts of fuel cell engines at the time, and the drive power was only 50 kilowatts. However, in 2003, our maximum speed reached 105 km/h; in 2004, our fuel cell engine output reached 35 kilowatts, and the drive motor power reached 60 kilowatts, which was accompanied by a 15 amp-hour lithium-ion battery and a maximum speed of 115 km/hour. In 2005, our fuel cell engine output reached 40 kilowatts, the drive motor power reached 65 kilowatts, and the maximum speed reached 122 kilometers/hour.

In this process, fuel cells have been developed and electric motors have also been developed. We have coordinated development and achieved complementarity. We have achieved the goal of overall development by vehicle traction. This is one of our characteristics.

Throughout the development process, parts and components have been developed simultaneously. At the beginning of the special project, the power density of nickel-metal hydride batteries in China was 230 W/kg, which was less than half of the 600 W/kg that was specifically determined. With the development of key technologies for complete vehicles and parts, everyone has gained confidence. At present, the power density of nickel-hydrogen batteries independently developed in China reaches 1,000 W/kg. The power density of lithium-ion batteries in China also reached 1200 W/kg from 400 W/kg at the beginning of the special project, exceeding the predetermined 800 W/kg. The drive motor power density reached 1350 W/kg.

China has become one of the few countries in the world that has mastered R&D, manufacturing, and testing technologies for automotive 100-kilowatt-class fuel cell engines. The hydrogen fuel efficiency of its own brand of fuel cells at rated power has reached 50%, and its weight-to-weight ratio has reached 160W/kg.

Practice has proved that, under the organization and management of major scientific and technological special projects, the entire vehicle-led, component-simultaneous parallel R&D model and market application are the goals, and the system optimizes resources through interaction and provides clear and detailed technical indicators for key components. It promotes communication and understanding between parts and components companies and vehicle companies, and promotes the common progress of vehicles and parts.

Reporter's opinion

Developing key components to break the bottleneck of vehicle development

When China's auto industry develops vehicles, it must pay attention to the value of key components. As pointed out by Wan Gang, head of the 863 electric vehicle group of the Ministry of Science and Technology, in the next phase of development, China’s auto industry may encounter bottlenecks in the key components sector.

Taking the development of electric vehicles as an example, as the electric vehicle itself is a systematic project, the special teams have implemented eight demonstration and demonstration cities throughout the country, including Tianjin, Wuhan, Zhangzhou, Beijing, Weihai, and Hangzhou. At the end of the special event, we already have our own electric vehicle. We have completed standards for pure electric vehicles, standards for hybrid electric vehicles, and industry standards for various parts and components at all levels. When our products enter the market, they also form their own The standards of system engineering must be parallel.

In the special 863 electric car project, China introduced a competition mechanism. In the special first round, the special team requested that each vehicle company organize three key components of different technical routes to cooperate. For each key component, the special group also suggested that it participate in the development of three different vehicles. A two-way combination forms a kind of competition.

Through the implementation of the market principle, after the implementation of the first year of the project, a strong combination of parts and components companies is formed, and the integration of vehicle resources with the entire vehicle company is achieved. Any vehicle company can enjoy any one of the three parties. Component company's development resources to achieve resource sharing.

By focusing on the development of key components, the technological innovation capability of China's auto companies has been further improved. Taking Chery as an example, Chery completed the independent research and development of key components such as the engine and transmission. At the same time, Chery has been doing automotive electronics products such as instrumentation, body controllers, car audio and engine control systems. In addition, Chery also makes its own EFI system, lighting system and Bluetooth system. It is the development of a variety of key components that has enabled Chery’s vehicle development to reach new heights.