China's Swift Race to Attract Apple Electric Vehicle Factory(?)

China: The World's Largest Electric Vehicle Market... The Only Country with a Production Network
Apple's AI-Equipped Autonomous Cars Also Suitable for China

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Ahead of Apple Inc.'s entry into the electric vehicle market, there are observations that China is an ideal production base for Apple electric cars.

Chinese media highlighted that Tesla, the world's number one electric vehicle company, produces and sells electric cars in Shanghai, China, raising the possibility of Apple's entry into China. It appears that China is moving swiftly to attract Apple’s electric vehicle production base.

Chinese media such as Global Times reported on the 24th that Apple is expected to release finished electric vehicles as early as 2024, and that China is highly likely to become Apple's electric vehicle production base. Citing automotive experts, Global Times noted that Apple’s management cannot overlook the fact that China already has an established production network for new energy vehicles including batteries, and that China is the world’s largest electric vehicle market.

In particular, China’s declaration of carbon neutrality and its announcement to convert 20% of new car sales to new energy vehicles by 2025 and 50% by 2035 is considered the most attractive factor. Considering China’s annual car sales of 26 million units in 2019, this means a new energy vehicle market of 5 million units within five years and 13 million units within fifteen years.

Feng Ximing, a Chinese automotive industry analyst, emphasized in an interview with Global Times that "China is the only country that has established a new energy vehicle production chain and possesses a vast market," and above all, it is a country where production activities are guaranteed even during global emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued that China is qualified as a production base.

Global Times also noted that since Apple’s IT devices such as iPhones are produced in China, Apple might choose an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) method rather than producing electric vehicles directly in China. It added that regardless of the method Apple chooses, China cannot be excluded as a candidate for the production base.

Global Times further added that Apple’s autonomous vehicles equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) are also suitable for China, not only because of the new energy vehicle infrastructure but also due to AI capabilities.

Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology forecasted that electric vehicle adoption would significantly increase from 2021 as local governments in Henan Province, Anhui Province, Yunnan Province, Guangdong Province, and others expand new energy vehicle production and infrastructure. In the case of Guangdong Province, a blueprint has been unveiled to develop Shenzhen, China’s Silicon Valley, into an eco-friendly city through the expansion of new energy vehicles, raising the possibility that Apple’s electric vehicle production plant equipped with autonomous driving functions could be established in Guangdong Province.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.