Power List 100 2023 - Chinese automakers

Eastern car makers are no longer seen as lesser than their wester counterparts; they are a real threat to legacy brands

Chinese car makers are well and truly on the offensive in Europe - their subsidised production costs allowing them to undercut western rivals and snatch their buyers. 

But, it is unfair to think these cars – such as the MG4 and BYD Atto 3 – are just selling because of their lower pricetags; they’re also showing that the Chinese are no longer lesser than their counterparts.

Instead, they are now being recognised globally for their growing understanding of how to make a car equal to some of the world’s best, especially with battery technologies. They are a real threat to the legacy brands.

We recognise those who’ve been at the heart of this in the Power List 100, sponsored by Keyloop.

*Power List 100 2023 - Chinese automakers*

-*Zhu Huarong, chairman, Changan Automobile*-

Rival Geely might be a better-known name in the west, but China state-owned Changan is actually the bigger global seller. Its chief Zhu Huarong has plenty more ambitions there, after growing net profit by a considerable 120% year-on-year in 2022. Huarong’s grand plan aims to sell 1.2m units overseas (an expected 30% of overall volume) and employ 10,000 people abroad by 2030. A new tie-up with Geely will make it even more competitive.

-*Wang Xiaoqiu president of SAIC Motor*-

Xiaoqiu took over as president of SAIC a decade ago, and in that time, there has been a lot of change. Now, the state-owned Chinese firm is the biggest in its home country with annual sales of over five million. It is also behind the resurgence of iconic once-British carmaker MG, which it took over in 2007.

-*Qing Hong Zheng, Chairman, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co*-

Overseeing the Trumpchi, Aion and Hycan brands, GAC’s chairman has set an ambitious sales target of five million units by 2035 – double 2022’s total – half of which are to be ‘new energy’ vehicles. Production capacity for EVs increased to 400,000 a year last December. His next focus will be on its joint venture with Jeep, something that has proved less successful with sales declining for four years in succession. 

-*Xu Liuping, Chairman, FAW*-

Best known for its limousines that were once reserved for high-ranking government officials, FAW has blossomed into the second- largest of the state-owned car makers following joint ventures with GM, Toyota and VW. Headed by Xu Liuping, the brand recorded 3.2 million units sold in 2022, only 500,000 down on pre-Covid times. The chairman’s seven-year plan aims to double sales and profits by 2025.

-*"Jack" Wei Jianjun, Chairman, Great Wall Motor *-

That Wei Jianjun took over the then-debt-plagued Great Wall Motors (then Great Wall Automobile Industry Company) at the age of just 26, shows the potential the privately owned firm saw in him. And he’s paid that back. Once majoring on pick ups and SUV, a new wave of GMW models, such as the Ora Funky Cat, have targeted the smaller B and C segments. He has also pushed the firm to be at the forefront of Chinese expansion overseas with CKD operations.

-*Zhu Yanfeng, Chairman, Dongfeng, *-

Zhu Yanfen has already completed much in his career, which spans being president of FAW and as deputy party chief of political party Jilin. Now at state-owned Dongfeng, the 62-year-old wields considerable influence thanks to joint ventures with Honda, Nissan and Stellantis. The firm is targeting three million sales this year, representing an approximate growth rate of 22% compared with the sales in 2022

-*Yin Tongyue, chairman, Chery Automobile*-

Given Chery is JLR’s assembly plant partner in China, chairman Yin Tongyue is an important figure in the UK. The state-owned firm produced 1.2m cars last year, making it the ninth largest car maker in China. But, it’s out of its home country where it seems to shine; since 2002, it has been the top exporter of passenger vehicles. Last year 451,337 Chery vehicles were sent overseas. Chery also assembles CKD vehicles in Egypt and Iran.

*How are the 100 names in Autocar's Power List chosen?*

The Power List ranks is made up of the world's 100 most influential automotive heads, based on the following criteria: global reach and influence, spending power, share of voice, technological influence, future growth potential and market capitalisation. 

The top 10 are ranked and the remaining 90 names on the list are grouped into categories, including executives from more traditional car makers to the rising powerhouses from China and the latest technology and mobility companies. 

These names were chosen by the editors of Autocar Business, the B2B product from the publisher of Autocar, designed to bring industry readers even closer to the inner workings and key players of the global automotive industry.

The full list will be available to download on 18 October.