GAC He Xianqing: Recreating New GAC Through Technological Innovation

"In the new round of industrial transformation, technological innovation capability has become the key factor determining a company's competitiveness," said He Xianqing, Deputy General Manager of GAC Group, at the 2025 TEDA Automotive Forum. He also stated that, in order to seize the initiative in this transformation that is reshaping the industrial landscape, it is necessary to accurately target and firmly grasp five key directions.

First, guided by planning and driven by dual engines, innovation has both origins and direction. GAC Group attaches great importance to top-level design, integrating "innovation first" into the corporate gene. It adheres to the approach of "maintaining one generation, developing one generation, reserving one generation, and researching one generation," advancing the "3510" technology plan, focusing continuous investment and early layout in key areas. In 2013, GAC foresaw the development trends of intelligence and electrification ahead of time, actively investing in and deploying core technologies such as the three-electric systems, combined assisted driving, and T-BOX, effectively supporting the intelligent experience of vehicle models.

Second, we focus on core areas, pursue key breakthroughs, and seize opportunities for innovation. In line with technological development trends and changing user needs, GAC concentrates resources and seeks breakthroughs in two main directions: intelligence and low carbonization. In the field of intelligence, we focus on four aspects: electronic and electrical architecture, intelligent cockpit, integrated assisted driving, and intelligent chassis. In the field of low carbonization, GAC focuses on achieving ultimate energy efficiency and electrification. It is worth mentioning that GAC will subsequently focus on developing a new generation of high-energy-density batteries and electric drive controllers, with the goal of equipping vehicles with the new generation of battery cells by 2027.

Third, position forward-looking technologies and embrace future innovative transformations. In the field of forward-looking technology, GAC focuses on key technologies such as flying cars and robots based on the development trend of future multi-scenario mobile three-dimensional travel, to create new quality productivity. GAC's independently developed flying car has already completed its maiden flight and is advancing towards demonstration operations. Subsequently, efforts will be concentrated on accelerating its application and small-scale production in public safety, healthcare, and the automotive aftermarket.

Fourth, prioritize talent, innovate mechanisms, and strengthen the foundation of innovation. The essence of technological innovation is talent. GAC highly values its talent strategy, implementing a global talent acquisition program to accelerate the introduction of key personnel for the "new four modernizations" and actively building a core team of technical experts. Internally, a leading expert problem-solving mechanism is promoted, with the establishment of innovation workstations and expert studios, led by experts tackling challenges. In the future, we will continue to enhance investment in core talent recruitment, compensation incentives, and market-oriented mechanisms to build an efficient, international R&D team.

Fifth, open cooperation and collaborative innovation to build an innovation ecosystem. To accelerate the transformation into an ecological service-oriented enterprise, while adhering to the self-research of core technologies, GAC has consistently promoted open cooperation. It engages in innovative collaborations with upstream and downstream ICT enterprises, universities, and research institutions in the industry chain through various forms such as strategic alliances, joint ventures, and joint laboratories to achieve resource complementation and build an innovation ecosystem for the entire industry chain.

According to He Xianqing, through years of innovative practice, GAC has accumulated over 23,000 patent applications and has won more than 60 important awards, including the First Prize of China Automotive Industry Science and Technology. For many consecutive years, GAC has been rated as excellent in the national evaluation of enterprise technology centers, continuously maintaining a leading position in the industry. These solid technological foundations and systematic innovation capabilities have laid a strong foundation for GAC to meet the transformational challenges of the "New Four Modernizations" and cope with the deep restructuring of the industrial chain. They have also enabled GAC to consistently take the initiative in key areas such as intelligence and low carbon development.

He Xianqing emphasized that standing at the forefront of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, GAC will continue to adhere to innovation-driven development, make top-level planning and layout, focus on breakthroughs in key technologies, actively deploy cutting-edge technologies, strengthen the construction of the scientific and technological talent system, and adhere to collaborative innovation. With the determination of "Rebuilding a New GAC," the company strives to contribute to the high-quality development of China's automotive industry.