In the automotive industry, there has always been a saying that China's automotive industry lags behind Europe and the US by 100 years.

Although it seems a bit exaggerated, it's actually not. Because the domestic automotive industry only started in the 1970s, while Europe and the US had been studying automobiles for over a century at that time.

So, in reality, it did lag behind by 100 years. Precisely because of this 100-year lag, early Chinese independent brand cars were indeed unable to compete with European and American brands in the automotive industry.

Judging from the actual situation, most domestic automakers in the early days cooperated with foreign brands to produce joint venture brands, such as FAW-Volkswagen, FAW-Audi, Brilliance BMW, Beijing Benz, GAC Toyota, GAC Honda, Nissan, Chang'an, Dongfeng Honda, etc. These joint venture brands were all formed through cooperation between domestic automakers and foreign brands.

Domestic automakers cooperate with foreign automakers to learn and absorb foreign technology, and then gradually develop their own cars.

As domestic technology becomes more and more advanced, there have also been many independent brands, such as BYD, Geely, Great Wall, etc.

But to be honest, these early independent brands were basically low-end, competing for the low-profit, low-end market that joint ventures despised. These independent brands could only rely on price to win.

However, with the advent of new energy vehicles, independent brands have seized the opportunity and grasped it. After all, in the era of fuel vehicles, they couldn't compete with joint ventures or foreign brands. In the era of new energy, those without shoes are not afraid of those with shoes. They must take a gamble. Once they win, the automotive industry landscape will be reshuffled.

Now it seems that independent brands have won the bet. Firstly, in the domestic market, independent brands have accounted for 55.7% of the market share from January to April 2024, an increase of 20 percentage points compared to four years ago.

While the share of joint venture brands in China has dropped from 51.1% four years ago to 30.9%, ceding 20% of the market, equivalent to a 40% decline.

Globally, the global sales of Chinese automobile brands reached 13.4 million last year, while the global sales of American brands were 11.9 million. The sales of Chinese independent brand cars have exceeded those of American brands, which can be considered a historic achievement.

Who would still say that China's automotive industry lags behind the US by 100 years? Probably not.

Currently, China is also the world's largest automobile producer, seller, and exporter, which is sufficient proof that China's automotive industry has truly risen.

Of course, behind all this is new energy vehicles, as new energy vehicles do not require the three major components of traditional fuel vehicles: engine, transmission, and chassis. Instead, they are replaced by new three major components: battery, electric motor, and electronic control system, as well as smart cabins and autonomous driving.

In these three areas, domestic technology is the most advanced globally, so new energy vehicles are also the most advanced globally, reversing the previous lag in the field of fuel vehicles.

However, it is worth noting that seeing the explosion of China's new energy vehicles, the US and the EU, which cannot compete, have started to resort to protectionism measures and impose tariffs. Therefore, Chinese automakers will face greater trade resistance in 2024 when entering international markets. Nevertheless, the rise of China's automotive industry is unstoppable, and the stigma of lagging behind Europe and the US by 100 years can be shed.