Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ) has cemented its position at the forefront of China's automotive industry transformation, reporting remarkable growth in the first half of this year.
The zone's GDP reached 110.5 billion yuan ($15.3 billion), growing 5.6 percent year-on-year, while its new energy vehicle (NEV) production surged 58.5 percent to 166,000 units, accounting for 48 percent of the total automotive output and exceeding the national average by 3.4 percentage points.
This success stems from several key automakers: Yipai Automotive Technology Branch of Dongfeng Motor Group delivered 27,923 vehicles in July alone, a 70.9 percent year-on-year increase; VOYAH maintained its impressive growth trajectory with July deliveries doubling to 12,135 units, while its flagship model dominates the premium MPV market; and MHERO's latest intelligent SUV garnered 9,713 pre-orders within just one hour of launch.
Significant technological advancements also underpin this manufacturing success, with SiEngine Technology Co's second-generation chip outperforming international competitors, Dongfeng's fully localized MCU chip, DF30, which will enter mass production next year, marking a major step in domestic semiconductor development, and the establishment of China's first embodied intelligence laboratory further strengthening the zone's smart vehicle capabilities.
The zone has dramatically improved its global connectivity, launching direct shipping routes to Japan and the Republic of Korea. These logistics developments support the zone's ambitious target of 200,000 annual vehicle exports as it transforms from a manufacturing base into an innovation-driven auto valley of the world.
With 200 leading enterprises and over 30,000 software professionals now clustered in the zone, WEDZ has become a comprehensive hub that covers the entire smart vehicle value chain, from chip design and AI development to advanced manufacturing and global distribution. This complete ecosystem positions the zone as a national leader in transforming China's automotive industry.
