One of Dongfeng Motor's workshops in Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]
Dongfeng Yixuan MAX, developed by Chinese auto heavyweight Dongfeng Motor Co, has registered handsome sales since it was launched four months ago, with more than 20,000 cars sold. Few realize that the car's design contains 422 patents.
Statistics collected by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center indicate that Dongfeng applied for 4,020 patents in total last year, the most among auto makers in China.
Guidelines on strengthening intelligent property rights were issued in 2021 by the central government. In response to the policy incentive, Dongfeng has stepped up patent applications, especially those related to new energy and intelligent connected vehicle areas.
Also worth noting is that Dongfeng has allocated 3 million yuan ($471,990) to award highly innovative research teams and individuals. A researcher receives the award not for having the largest number of patent applications, but for how valuable the patent is to the company. In addition, only authorized patents and patents adopted in real automobile design deserve the bonus.
"The focus shift from the quantity to the quality of patents helps us to make the most of core technologies," said Yang Yanding, deputy director of Dongfeng's technology center.
In addition, the biggest share of the award will be granted to researchers once the patent is successfully transferred.
Dongfeng plans to gain more than 6,500 patents during its 14th five-year plan period (2021-25), according to local news reports.
