China's EV 'Grandmasters': Autonomous Driving Race and Brutal Competition Define Automotive Future

The Hankyoreh draws a parallel between the martial arts philosophy of 'The Grandmaster' and the current state of the global automotive industry, particularly the race for dominance in electric and autonomous vehicles. The core message is that only those who stand, those who master the 'vertical' of technological prowess, will prevail in the evolving landscape.

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We don't need to brag about which sect is superior. Skill is one of two things: horizontal and vertical. Only those who stand, not those who fall, have the right to speak.

China, specifically the Guangdong province, has emerged as a critical battleground for this technological supremacy. Companies like BYD, which dominated global EV sales last year, Xpeng, a leader in autonomous driving systems, and GAC are all headquartered there, fiercely competing in battery technology and autonomous driving "new skills." This region is becoming the epicenter of the EV revolution, pushing the boundaries of innovation.

The article highlights the brutal "all-comers" approach of China's manufacturing growth model, fueled by subsidies, which has led to a dramatic price war. This "killing the competition" strategy, as described, is forcing a rapid consolidation within the Chinese EV sector. Hundreds of brands have dwindled, and projections indicate that only a handful will remain financially viable in five years, a stark reality of the intense "flesh-cutting" competition.

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The global prices of the automotive industry are increasingly being determined by a single standard: China.

This Chinese strategy of driving down prices to eliminate rivals is not confined to its domestic market. It's increasingly impacting global pricing standards, as noted by Bosch's chairman. The resulting oversupply and domestic demand slump are pushing Chinese automakers to expand overseas production and exports. BYD's rapid success in the South Korean market, and Geely's premium Zeekr brand entering the competitive Gangnam district, are prime examples of this global push. The Hankyoreh cautions against dismissing these advancements as merely "Chinese-made," emphasizing that global players like Hyundai and Kia recognize the formidable technological challenge posed by these Chinese EVs, particularly in battery and autonomous driving capabilities.

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I learned how to be humble in China.