A fully automatic intelligent production line rolls in an orderly manner, and a pair of huge robot arms keep waving, from the chassis module, to the body doors and windows, to the tire seat, intelligent positioning, automatic grabbing, and precise assembly. With the rhythm of smart machinery, the reporter walked into the assembly workshop of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "GAC Aion"), as if watching the "robot" make "Transformers". The person in charge of the workshop said with a smile: "Every 53 seconds, a new car can drive off the production line. ”
On the new track of high-end, intelligent and green manufacturing in China's manufacturing industry, GAC Aion's new energy vehicles have accelerated.
- The picture shows that the welding workshop of GAC Aion No. 1 Intelligent Manufacturing Center is in full swing. Photo courtesy of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd
In the spring of 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to GAC Aion and walked into the company's exhibition hall and assembly workshop to understand the progress of the company's breakthroughs in key core technologies and the promotion of high-end, intelligent and green manufacturing. In the exhibition hall, from the price of new energy vehicles to sales, from material technology to battery technology, the general secretary asked in great detail. During this inspection, the general secretary stressed: "We must attach importance to the real economy, take the road of self-reliance, and achieve self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology." ”
"We deeply feel the general secretary's ardent expectations for independent brands and the importance of independent innovation in core science and technology." Zhang Zichu, an engineer who has accompanied GAC Aion all the way, still shows excitement when he talks about his feelings when he meets General Secretary Xi Jinping. Zhang Zichu introduced that GAC Aion is a young new energy vehicle company only 7 years old, and it is the fruit of the strategy of Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "GAC Group"), a veteran domestic car company, to develop intelligent networked new energy vehicles. At the beginning of its birth, GAC Aion aimed at the track of "pure electric + intelligent networking", and built the first new energy pure electric exclusive factory in China in the following year of its establishment. In the process of development and growth, GAC Aion has been upgrading to high-end intelligence on the one hand, and on the other hand, it has continuously broken through key core technologies.
- The picture shows the cars produced by the "supercar assembly line" of GAC Aion Intelligent Ecological Factory. Photo courtesy of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd
"Compared with the past, the current new energy vehicles are 'rolling' up on the high-end route." Looking in the direction of the narrator's finger, the reporter's eyes were attracted by more than 10 new cars lined up in turn. The red pure electric supercar is equipped with automatic butterfly wing doors and AI track technology, and the blue pure electric SUV equipped with AI large model cockpit and high-end intelligent driving opens a pair of gullwing doors; Through the dialogue between the car and the machine, you can find food, book movie tickets, and enjoy the butler service provided by the intelligent IoT system; Turn on the player when the journey is boring, and the car becomes an exclusive KTV for moving...... New energy vehicles have been transformed into mobile green and intelligent spaces, which combine environmental quality, exquisite design and intelligent experience.
What can be seen is the fashionable exterior and trendy interior, and what is invisible is the independent and controllable and internationally leading core technology. The magazine battery 2.0 that does not ignite in the acupuncture test and gun test, the sponge silicon anode battery that can achieve a range of 1,000 kilometers, the super electric drive with high motor speed and system efficiency, and the support of 900V ultra-high voltage, the intelligent driving interconnection ecosystem...... An engineer explained to reporters the various technologies independently developed by GAC Aion. He pointed to a black "film" with an ordinary appearance and said that this is a sponge silicon anode cell, and a new nano-silicon composite material is gradient coated onto the graphite anode sheet, so that the silicon anode sheet inside the battery is as soft as a sponge, which greatly improves the energy density of the battery and can well solve the "range anxiety".
The core technology cannot be exchanged by the market, and it cannot be bought with money, so it must rely on independent research and development. The core technology links of the industrial chain such as "three electrics" (battery, motor and electronic control) and intelligent network connection determine the key performance of new energy vehicles. If the core technology cannot be independent and controllable, it may be "stuck" at any time, and the security of the industrial chain and supply chain cannot be discussed. GAC Aion has invested in building a battery and electric drive intelligent ecological factory, becoming one of the few new energy vehicle companies in the world with the core self-development and self-production capabilities of the "three electrics". There are many upstream and downstream links in the new energy vehicle industry chain, from lithium mines, to "three electrics" hardware and intelligent network software, to production and sales, involving a wide range. GAC Aion is deeply involved in the R&D, transformation and upgrading of all links, and strives to improve the resilience and safety of the entire industrial chain and supply chain.
- The photo shows a car chassis equipped with technologies such as magazine batteries. Photo courtesy of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd
"Of course, self-reliance and self-improvement are by no means done on our own behind closed doors, first based on ourselves, and at the same time, international cooperation is also welcomed." From the workshop of GAC Aion to the laboratory of GAC Research Institute, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out during the inspection that China's reform and opening up policy will remain unchanged for a long time and will never close the door of opening up by itself; We are willing to work with all countries that are willing to cooperate with us for a win-win situation and promote the common prosperity and development of the world economy.
Keeping in mind the entrustment of General Secretary Xi Jinping, GAC Aion adheres to the independent research and development of key core technologies, and actively carries out international cooperation. When the reporter met engineer Yu Yingxin, he had just returned from a business trip to Thailand. "The technicians and workers there are looking forward to starting to build the car as soon as possible!" GAC Aion has invested in the construction of an overseas manufacturing base in Thailand, which is scheduled to be put into production in the second half of this year, and Yu Yingxin has participated in the relevant technical work. GAC Aion has also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Indonesian enterprises to carry out comprehensive cooperation in the fields of vehicle manufacturing, automobile sales and services, finance, energy ecology, mobility market, and upstream and downstream of the industrial chain. In addition, GAC Aion is also exporting new energy technologies to other GAC joint ventures to help them transition to electrification.
In the process of promoting the development of the new energy industry, Chinese companies, including GAC Aion, have always adhered to open cooperation and shared opportunities with other countries. In the first quarter of this year, the export volume of new energy vehicles in mainland China increased by 23.8% year-on-year, and high-end intelligent and green new energy vehicles are marketable in the international market. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that "China's new energy industry has cultivated real skills in open competition, representing advanced production capacity, which not only enriches global supply, alleviates global inflationary pressure, but also makes great contributions to the global response to climate change and green transformation." "The scenery should be long-term, and it is advisable to look at it. With more than 130 countries and regions proposing carbon neutrality goals, the global demand for green production capacity far exceeds output. From a long-term perspective, GAC Aion is full of confidence in orderly competition and survival of the fittest with technology and products.
- The picture shows GAC Aion's Thailand plant project. Photo courtesy of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd
"Looking at the world, GAC Aion has now grown into a 'top student' in the industry," said Li Liudong, a designer of automotive exterior styling. Li Liudong joined GAC Research Institute in 2010 after graduating from university, when GAC Group was in the initial stage of independent research and development. "When domestic car design was just starting out, we were actually followers and had to learn from some joint venture brands and international luxury brands. But after a certain stage of development, we gradually assume the role of innovation pioneers. Unwilling to admit defeat, dare to try and make mistakes, with a sense of mission of "building a high-end Chinese and global leading brand", he and his team worked together to show creativity and cohesion on a number of popular models of their own brands such as GAC Trumpchi and GAC Aion. Speaking of the scene of General Secretary Xi Jinping carefully inspecting the model design laboratory at the GAC Research Institute, Li Liudong said that the original models he participated in the design could be seen by the General Secretary, and the designers on the scene were very happy. The general secretary's concern and encouragement inspired them to continue to insist on innovation and creation and "march to the vanguard of the world".
"The development of new energy vehicles is the only way for the mainland to move from a big automobile country to an automobile power." 10 years ago, General Secretary Xi Jinping made a judgment. Gao Rui, deputy general manager of GAC Group, said that it was the general secretary's speech that made GAC Group make up its mind to develop new energy vehicles that year. "The development of new energy vehicles confirms the strong driving force and support of new quality productivity for high-quality development. I firmly believe that China's new energy vehicles will continue to lead the world. ”
(Written by: Liu Mingmei Review: Li Yanling)