GWM chairman warns China auto industry still trails top global automakers
Chairman of Great Wall Motor, Wei Jianjun, told employees during a recent annual meeting that Chinese automakers still face a “very large gap” compared with leading global car manufacturers, even as China’s industry continues expanding in scale and exports in 2026, according to Y-Auto.
His remarks, delivered in early February and later circulated by Chinese media, come at a time when Chinese brands have increased global presence and domestic market share. However, Wei said that, including Great Wall Motor itself, Chinese companies should remain cautious about their position and avoid overestimating their competitiveness.
Wei stated that automakers from established automotive regions such as Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United States continue to hold advantages in manufacturing experience and technical depth. He said Chinese manufacturers should continue learning from those regions and address shortcomings through internal evaluation and corrective measures.
He also referenced Toyota as an example of how automakers handle product quality issues. According to Wei, Toyota maintains user trust despite frequent recalls because it addresses problems proactively and communicates repairs clearly to customers.
Wei’s comments also addressed broader industry risks. He warned that aggressive price competition in China, including deep price cuts, could create long-term challenges if not underpinned by sustainable business operations and product quality.
Separately, he said that while Chinese vehicle exports have grown rapidly in recent years, overseas expansion strategies still rely heavily on price competitiveness. He noted that relying mainly on lower pricing may limit brand development in international markets over time.
Great Wall Motor disclosed that its global vehicle sales reached 1.3237 million units in 2025, including 403,700 new energy vehicles and 506,100 overseas deliveries. The company also reported annual revenue of 222.79 billion yuan (30.77 billion USD) and net profit of 9.912 billion yuan (1.37 billion USD), based on figures released in early 2026.
New energy vehicles accounted for about 30% of Great Wall Motor’s total deliveries, with the majority consisting of gasoline-powered and hybrid models. By comparison, BYD has shifted entirely to new-energy vehicle production, ending sales of pure internal combustion engine vehicles in recent years.
The chairman said the company and the wider industry should continue to focus on product quality, technology development, and long-term competitiveness as Chinese automakers expand production and exports in 2026.
