HAIKOU October 2 - "I look forward to strong cooperation between our countries," said Hildegard Müller, president of the German Automobile Industry Association, in an interview with Xinhua during the World New Energy Vehicle Congress 2024 (WNEVC).
"China boasts the largest automotive market in the world with impressive technological advances," Mueller said, adding that China's electric vehicle (EV) sector is a global leader and standard setter in the field.
She said the global automotive industry is undergoing the most profound changes since the inception of the automobile. "Both digitalisation and climate protection in particular pose significant challenges for us."
"I believe that cooperation is an effective engine for development in these times. Through cooperation, we can achieve growth, prosperity and technological progress that will benefit all," she stressed.
Müller sees great potential for cooperation between the Chinese and German markets, as each boasts "significant strengths".
Pointing out that over the past four decades, German and Chinese industries have shown that cooperation is important for both sides, she told Xinhua news agency: "I would like to invite the Chinese automotive industry to join a similar cooperation in Germany."
She said she encouraged the German car industry to continue its business activities in China and that she would like to see Chinese companies setting up factories and creating jobs in Germany.
"I firmly believe that the automotive industries of both countries, whether in passenger cars, buses or commercial vehicles, can deliver desirable products that significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions," She said.
Müller attributes the success of the German automotive industry in part to its strong global vision. "Since the beginning, it has not only focused on the German and European markets, but has also actively sought to meet international requirements," she said.
According to Mueller, the German automotive industry has a global perspective and recognises the significant opportunities that international cooperation offers.
"Our main focus now is to avoid the pitfalls of protectionism. Tariffs and subsidies should not dominate the debate. Instead, we should look for opportunities for cooperation," she stressed.
"I would be happy if we could leverage the common strengths of the automotive industry in both countries to further strengthen global cooperation. This would serve as a model to show that we can address climate protection challenges through globalisation while balancing growth and development. This is in the interest of both nations," she said.
The WNEVC 2024 Conference on "Low Carbon Evolution and Global Cooperation" was held in Haikou, capital of South China's Hainan Province, from 27 to 29 September.
Xinhua/ gnews - RoZ
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