Dongfeng Motor Co, an auto manufacturer based in Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WHDZ) in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, is to develop a battery, motor, and electronic control technology supply chain, according to local media reports.
At the beginning of this year, Dongfeng plans to independently produce its first batch of IGBT chip modules.
An IGBT, also known as a power semiconductor, is the core component of the electronic control system of new energy vehicles. It can directly control the entire vehicle's core indicators such as AC/DC conversion and power regulation. Its cost accounts for about 8 to 10 percent of the total cost.
China is the world's largest demand market for IGBTs. In 2018, the demand was about 79.89 million, while the output was only 11.15 million. The production capacity of mid-to-high-end IGBTs is thus seriously insufficient, forcing an overreliance on large international companies, with the degree of external dependence exceeding 90 percent.
In 2018, Dongfeng decided to work with CRRC Corporation Limited to start independent research, development and production of automotive-grade IGBT chip modules to replace imports and build a safe and stable battery, motor, and electronic control technology supply chain.
With stable product performance, the IGBT samples Dongfeng produced have successfully passed relevant tests and obtained orders from companies such as United Automotive Electronics Systems Co.
According to Hubei province's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) proposals, focusing on optical core screen terminal networks, new energy and smart cars, Hubei will conquer a number of "jam-neck" technologies, promote the industrialization of key technologies, and enhance the core competitiveness of the industry.
In the future, Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone will form an independent "three power" supply chain from product development and test verification to manufacturing and sales, providing strong support for Hubei province's plan to build an automobile industry cluster with an output value of 1 trillion yuan ($154.8 billion).
