Ge Long Hui·2025-06-17 18:25Core Viewpoint - Toyota's joint venture GAC Toyota is setting a precedent for foreign brands by collaborating with local tech giants Huawei and Xiaomi, indicating a shift in the approach of foreign automakers towards local partnerships in the competitive Chinese market [4][5][10]. Group 1: Collaboration and Market Strategy - GAC Toyota's recent event showcased a collaboration between Huawei, Xiaomi, and Momenta, highlighting a significant shift in the attitude of foreign automakers towards local tech companies [4][5]. - GAC Toyota has upgraded its partnership with Huawei to a full-scale collaboration, which may encourage other joint ventures to follow suit [5][10]. - The upcoming GAC Toyota model, the Platinum Smart 7, will be the first to integrate Huawei's DriveONE motor, HarmonyOS cockpit, and Xiaomi's ecosystem, showcasing a comprehensive tech integration [7][10]. Group 2: Market Performance and Trends - In the first five months of the year, GAC Group's total sales reached 605,225 units, a year-on-year decline of 13.48%, while GAC Toyota's sales increased by nearly 3% to 273,600 units [8][9]. - The collaboration with tech companies is expected to attract both Huawei and Xiaomi's customer bases, potentially boosting GAC Group's sales performance [10][20]. - The changing consumer preferences, with a significant portion of users opting for traditional brands over new entrants, presents an opportunity for foreign automakers to regain market share [19][20]. Group 3: Industry Dynamics - The automotive industry is witnessing a transformation as foreign automakers recognize the importance of local technology partnerships to enhance their competitiveness in the Chinese market [12][16]. - The collaboration between traditional automakers and local tech firms is seen as a rapid way to improve their smart technology capabilities, which are becoming essential in the current market landscape [14][16]. - The shift in strategy among joint ventures, as exemplified by GAC Toyota, serves as a model for other foreign automakers in adapting to the evolving market demands in China [16][20].