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| An E Concept electric vehicle (EV) of AUDI, a new EV brand Audi co-developed with Chinese automaker SAIC, is displayed onstage during a launch event in Shanghai, China November 7, 2024. — Reuters |
Legacy Carmakers Embrace Chinese EV Technology to Stay in the Race
An E Concept electric vehicle of AUDI, a new EV brand Audi co-developed with Chinese automaker SAIC, is displayed onstage during a launch event in Shanghai, China November 7, 2024. — ReutersWhen Audi executives first encountered the Zeekr 001 in 2021 — a sleek, long-range electric car...
When you look around in 2025, one of the biggest
shifts in the auto industry is how many legacy carmakers—from Europe, Japan,
and America—are now turning to Chinese EV technology adoption to
catch up. Once, veteran automakers relied almost entirely on in-house design
for electric vehicles (EVs). Now they’re increasingly licensing or integrating
Chinese platforms, battery systems, software stacks, and component designs to
speed up their EV rollouts. This trend—let’s call it legacy automaker Chinese EV tech
adoption—marks a turning point because it shows how powerful
China’s EV innovations have become globally.
Chinese firms like Geely, BYD, Xpeng, GAC, and
Dongfeng haven’t just built cars for their own market—they’ve developed EV
platforms and powertrains that are modular, relatively affordable, and
scalable. What’s happening now is traditional automakers such as Volkswagen,
Toyota, GM, Ford, Renault, and others are making deals or partnerships to use
those platforms or components. That includes battery technology, digital
cockpits, and sometimes even autonomous driving software. The goal: shorten
development time, reduce cost, and stay competitive against both Chinese brands
and EV startups.
For example, Reuters recently noted that Audi
launched its E5 Sportback in just 18 months using key technologies from SAIC,
one of China’s major automakers. Reuters
That kind of speed was almost unthinkable a few years ago when legacy
automakers were designing every piece themselves. But with Chinese EV platforms for global
automakers now available, companies can assemble an EV using a
tested Chinese base and focus more on styling, tuning, and brand-specific
features. This helps reduce both risk and cost.
Battery tech is another big area. Chinese advances
in lithium-ion battery chemistry, thermal management, and low-cost
manufacturing are helping legacy carmakers avoid reinventing the wheel. Some
brands have been caught off guard by how fast Chinese battery firms like CATL
or BYD can scale up production, reduce cost per kilowatt-hour, and deliver
upgraded battery modules. Using these technologies—rather than building
everything from scratch—lets legacy firms accelerate their own EV launches.
Of course, there are downsides and caveats. One is
brand differentiation. When multiple automakers use the same Chinese platform
or the same battery supplier, it can become harder for them to stand out.
Another risk: reliance on external supply chains for critical components, which
could be problematic if geopolitical tensions grow. Still, many legacy
automakers are willing to make those trade-offs to avoid getting left behind.
In Pakistan, you can already see signs of Chinese EV tech
in local market growth. Chinese EV makers like BYD are entering
the market, and their models are selling well—even before local production
begins. This demand encourages traditional importers and assemblers to consider
Chinese EV platforms and battery systems as part of their product lines. The
ripple effect of Chinese battery tech in Pakistani EV market is becoming
more visible: whether in hybrid models, plug-ins, or EVs imported, there’s more
attention now to efficiency, range, charging performance—all areas where
Chinese tech excels.
Another dimension: software and EV electronics.
Features like digital cockpits, advanced infotainment, coordinated
driver-assist features (lane keeping, adaptive cruise), and over-the-air (OTA)
updates are more mature in many Chinese EVs. By incorporating these, legacy
automakers can offer more modern user experience without years of R&D
delay. This practice—traditional automakers integrating Chinese EV software systems—is
becoming part of how they compete in newer markets, especially where price
sensitivity is high.
What does this mean for consumers and global
competition? It likely means cheaper EVs from familiar legacy brands, faster
time to market for EV models, increased competition in quality vs price, and
more innovation regions vying for EV leadership. For many emerging markets,
this is good news: legacy brands with local recognition can deliver EVs using
tested Chinese components and platforms, possibly making EV ownership more
affordable and accessible.
Looking ahead, the adoption of Chinese EV technology
by legacy carmakers is likely to deepen. We’ll see more joint ventures, more
licensing deals, and more hybrid models that use Chinese battery tech. Legacy
automakers will still try to keep their brand identity—styling, customer
support, luxury touches—but under the hood, more EVs will share hardware or
software designs with Chinese firms.
Ultimately, this shift is about survival. As Chinese
EV makers grow, backed by large domestic markets, low labor cost, and strong
battery and battery-management-systems capability, legacy automakers face
enormous pressure. Those that adapt by embracing Chinese EV platforms for legacy
brands will likely stand a better chance in the EV era, while
those that resist may fall behind.