During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, China’s automotive industry has accelerated its innovation pace, transitioning from following to leading, as China strides forward to become an automotive powerhouse. Let’s review the achievements of the “14th Five-Year Plan”.

The “14th Five-Year Plan” outline proposed to enhance the modernization level of industrial and supply chains, promote the optimization and upgrading of manufacturing, and focus on strategic emerging industries such as new materials, high-end equipment, and new energy vehicles.

In 2024, China’s total automobile production and sales volume ranked first globally for the 16th consecutive year, maintaining an annual scale of over 30 million vehicles for two consecutive years. Among these, the sales proportion of new energy vehicles increased from 5.4% in 2020 to 40.9%, while production surged from approximately 1.4 million vehicles in 2020 to around 13 million vehicles in 2024. In 2023, China exported 4.91 million vehicles, surpassing Japan for the first time to become the world’s largest automobile exporter. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, China’s automotive industry has risen to become the country’s primary economic pillar, with the total production value of upstream and downstream industrial chains accounting for about 10% of national GDP.

  • In Guangzhou, at a lighthouse factory for new energy vehicles, a single production line can simultaneously manufacture 8 different models, with a customized vehicle rolling off the line in just 53 seconds;
  • In the Yangtze River Delta, a new energy vehicle assembly plant can source all required supporting components within a 4-hour drive;
  • In Chongqing, a super automotive factory is equipped with over 1,000 intelligent devices, utilizing AI inspection systems throughout the entire production process.

During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, traveling with new energy vehicles has become more convenient. By the end of August 2025, the total number of electric vehicle charging infrastructure units (charging guns) reached 17.348 million; expressway service areas had cumulatively built 38,000 charging facilities, covering 98% of service areas nationwide. Except for Tibet and Qinghai, all other provinces have achieved “county-wide coverage” of charging stations.

One-click interaction, human-vehicle dialogue… vehicles now meet diverse scenario needs including entertainment, learning, chatting, and sightseeing inside the car. Over 50 cities nationwide have conducted intelligent connected vehicle road testing demonstrations, opening 32,000 kilometers of test roads and completing intelligent upgrades for approximately 10,000 kilometers of roads.

By manufacturing smarter vehicles, building more intelligent roads, and establishing safer systems, through multi-party collaboration, “Made in China” automobiles are growing wings of intelligent connectivity, continuously advancing toward a greener and smarter future.

14th Five-Year Plan

The “14th Five-Year Plan” is not a physical place or cultural site, but rather a strategic blueprint for China’s national development from 2021 to 2025. It outlines key economic and social goals, focusing on technological self-reliance, green development, and high-quality growth. Historically, it continues China’s series of five-year plans that have guided its policy since 1953.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou is a major port city in southern China with over 2,200 years of history, famously serving as a starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. It was one of China’s earliest international trade hubs and remains an economic powerhouse today, known for its iconic Canton Tower and historic sites like the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. The city also played a significant role in modern Chinese history as the birthplace of the Xinhai Revolution.

Yangtze River Delta

The Yangtze River Delta is a fertile and economically vital region in eastern China, encompassing major cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. Historically a center of trade, culture, and rice production for millennia, it was a key part of ancient Wu and Yue cultures. Today, it is a global economic powerhouse and one of China’s most important industrial and financial hubs.

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China, strategically located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. Historically, it served as the provisional capital of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Today, it is a sprawling megacity and a key economic hub, famous for its mountainous terrain, hot pot cuisine, and foggy weather.

Tibet

Tibet is a high-altitude region on the Tibetan Plateau in Asia, often called the “Roof of the World.” It is renowned for its profound Buddhist culture, with a history centered around the Dalai Lamas and a theocratic government that ruled from the Potala Palace in Lhasa. In the mid-20th century, it was incorporated into the People’s Republic of China, a move that remains a subject of international debate.

Qinghai

Qinghai is a province in northwestern China named after the vast Qinghai Lake, the country’s largest inland saltwater lake. Historically, it was a significant crossroads for trade and cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road and has long been home to various ethnic groups, including Tibetans and Mongols. Today, it is known for its high-altitude plateau landscape, unique Tibetan Buddhist culture, and diverse ecosystems.