中国制造何以碾压

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that China's manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness have significantly improved, surpassing traditional perceptions of low labor costs as the primary reason for its manufacturing dominance. [3][6][19] Group 1: Manufacturing Efficiency Comparison - Tesla's Shanghai factory produces nearly 1 million vehicles in 2024 with a workforce of about 20,000, achieving an average output of 50 vehicles per worker annually, which is nearly double the output of the Fremont factory in California, which produces 560,000 vehicles with the same number of workers, averaging 28 vehicles per worker. [5] - The annual salary of a Tesla worker in Shanghai is approximately $14,000 to $15,000, while a worker in the U.S. earns about $82,500. This results in a labor cost-effectiveness ratio of 8 to 14 times in favor of the Chinese factory. [5][6] - The article highlights that this efficiency advantage extends throughout the supply chain, including batteries and components, with the Shanghai factory expected to produce 5 million battery packs by November 2025. [5] Group 2: Broader Industry Trends - China's shipbuilding industry is projected to account for 60-84% of global orders by 2025, a significant increase from 44% in 2020, with China building approximately 1,700 ships in 2024 compared to fewer than 5 by the U.S. annually. [7][8] - In the steel industry, China's production is expected to reach 955 million tons in 2025, while the U.S. will produce about 80 million tons, with Chinese steel mills achieving an average output of 1,000 tons per worker compared to 300-400 tons in the U.S. [8] - China produces 80% of the world's solar panels, with a 73% increase in exports expected by 2025. The average output per worker in China is about 500 megawatts, compared to 250 megawatts in the U.S. [9] Group 3: The Productivity Paradox - Despite the high efficiency observed in Chinese manufacturing, international organizations like the World Bank and IMF report that China's labor productivity is only 15-20% of that in the U.S., creating a paradox. [11][14] - The discrepancy arises from the method of calculating labor productivity, which is based on value-added rather than physical output. For example, a significant portion of the profit from an iPhone is attributed to Apple in the U.S., while the Chinese assembly contributes only a small fraction. [16] - Price distortions also play a role, as the same product can have different market values in China and the U.S., affecting reported productivity figures. [17] Group 4: Systemic Advantages of Chinese Manufacturing - The article argues that the true strength of Chinese manufacturing lies not only in low labor costs but also in a combination of high efficiency, a robust supply chain ecosystem, and a large pool of STEM graduates, which is four times that of the U.S. [18][19] - The ongoing transformation towards high-value industries like artificial intelligence and electric vehicles further enhances China's competitive edge in manufacturing. [18]