Chongqing - "I will shoulder the responsibility for the development of a national auto brand," said Zhu Huarong, a deputy to the National People's Congress and chairman of Changan Automobile Co., Ltd.

Over the past five years, Zhu put forward 24 suggestions based on in-depth research, focusing on people's concerned issues such as the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry, the high-quality development of the automobile industry, and the promotion of independent brands.

Promoting the industrialization of domestic chips

As a deputy in the automotive industry, Zhu paid particular attention to the industry's healthy and orderly development with 16 suggestions proposed.

Zhu suggested enhancing the brand competitiveness of Chinese auto brands and aiming at autonomous car brands to boost China's economy. He proposed to promote the industrialization of domestic chips for the industrial and supply chains.

Zhu introduced that his company Changan Automobile completed the target of chip production last year, with its uses occupying 25% of the national total.

Data showed that automakers delivered 26.86 million vehicles in 2022, despite monthslong production disruptions across the country caused by semiconductor shortages and the lingering COVID-19.

According to China Daily, vehicle sales in China are expected to grow three percent to 27.66 million units this year, following a hard-won 2.1 percent growth in 2022.

Building Southeast Asian bases and European headquarters

Zhu introduced that Changan Automobile insists on independent innovation to build the original technology base.

Data showed that the company had invested 60.5 billion yuan (about $8.78 billion) in research and development (R&D), mastered over 1,100 core technologies, and nearly 6,000 patents in the past five years.

The company took the lead in developing three International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standards for intelligent connected vehicles, breaking the long-term monopoly of other countries.

"Changan Automobile is marching towards a world-class brand," said Zhu. The company will seize opportunities to expand overseas markets and accelerate the construction of its Southeast Asian bases and European headquarters.

According to the plan, Changan Automobile strives to achieve group sales of 5 million vehicles by 2030, with over 60% of new energy sales and 30% of overseas sales.

Scientific innovation is another key of the company. Changan Automobile will invest over 150 billion yuan in the new automobile technology industry chain and build a science and technology innovation team of more than 10,000 people to enhance its technological strength.