Under the theme "Convergence and Transformation: Intelligence Drives the Future," the 2025 China (Hefei) Digital Automotive Pioneers Gathering and OEM-Supplier Collaboration Conference was held in Hefei on August 8. The event released a series of technology collaboration demands from automakers and facilitated in-depth discussions among executives from vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers on building an innovative ecosystem for digital automobiles.   

Today, digital automobiles are driving industrial transformation with "genetic reconstruction" momentum. The wave of electrification, intelligence, connectivity, and sharing is reshaping the industry landscape at an unprecedented pace. In this transition, digital technology has become increasingly critical, serving as an "innovation catalyst" throughout the entire lifecycle of automotive R&D, production, and application.  As Ye Shengji, Chief Engineer of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, put it: "This marks a subversion of industrial logic"—cars are no longer merely means of transportation but "upgradable smart terminals" capable of continuous evolution. 

The first half of the automotive industry's transformation was about electrification; the second half belongs to intelligence. Data shows that Anhui Province ranked first in China for both conventional and new energy vehicle production in the first half of the year. To gain a competitive edge in this next phase, Anhui must make forward-looking strategic plans, and foster an open ecosystem for digital automotive innovation. 

So what exactly is a "digital car"? At the China (Hefei) Digital Automotive Pioneers Gathering and OEM-Supplier Collaboration Conference, industry leaders offered their definitions.

"You can't talk about 'digital cars' without mentioning AI. A digital car is an algorithm and data-driven entity—at its core, it's 'AI + automobile,'" said Ren Linjie, Executive Secretary-General of the Provincial Automotive Strategy Advisory Committee and Director of the Provincial Automotive Innovation Center. He emphasized that digital cars are not merely vehicles with added intelligent systems but represent a fundamental reshaping—where the entire technological framework and industrial ecosystem are redefined by artificial intelligence and its algorithms.

This transformation is reflected in applications and functionalities, where cars have transcended the concept of physical entities to become comprehensive "data entities."  

Xie Xiangmin, Head of Product Digitalization at Chery Automobile's Hefei Research Institute, believes that automotive digitization is not merely about adding digital features, but about transforming vehicles into intelligent mobile terminals. 

He offered an analogy: "On the surface, a car still looks like a car. But functionally, it’s no longer just a vehicle—it could be a mobile home, a mobile conference room, or even a mobile study. With AI integration, children’s education could even take place inside the car."  

The widespread adoption of digital vehicles will inevitably bring profound transformation and restructuring to the entire automotive industry chain. What impacts will this have on vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers?

During the discussions, participants agreed that the development of digital vehicles presents numerous new technological challenges. As specialized tasks require specialized expertise, vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers must work as an inseparable whole. Only through collaborative innovation can they build a robust ecosystem for digital vehicles. 

In the first half of this year, Anhui Province produced 1.4995 million vehicles, including 730,900 new energy vehicles, ranking first in China for both categories.  

What does the era of digital vehicles mean for Anhui, a major automotive province? Moving forward, how can we seize opportunities, plan strategically, and keep pace with the wave of digital automotive innovation?

"Digital vehicles represent a fundamental restructuring of the entire automotive industry's logic, bringing unprecedented development opportunities for Anhui," remarked Ye Shengji. He noted that from 2020 to 2024, Anhui's new energy vehicle production skyrocketed 15-fold from 105,000 units to 1.684 million units, propelling the province from 4th to 1st place nationally. This remarkable achievement demonstrates Anhui's solid foundation, competitive advantages, and urgent need to accelerate technological and industrial innovation in digital vehicles. By doing so, Anhui can secure a leading position in the global automotive industry and contribute the "Anhui Solution" to China's automotive upgrade.  

Source: Anhui Daily