In an editorial on October 11, the Global Times used Nissan's Frontier Pro pickup, developed and built in China for export, to argue that 'in China, for the world' is moving from a 1.0 stage of manufacturing for export to a 2.0 stage of local development.
According to the Global Times editorial, the Nissan Frontier Pro is the first model Nissan designed, developed and manufactured in China for export. It launched in Mexico in October and is planned to expand to Latin America, the Middle East and Australia. The editorial reads this as a sign that China is no longer merely a production base and sales market for multinationals but a global innovation hub and a place for co-creating value.
광고 문의 · 300×250From 1.0 to 2.0
In the editorial's terms, 1.0 means making in China and selling abroad, while 2.0 means defining, developing and making products and technology in China for global markets. It describes the change as a move from a one-way 'market for technology' exchange to two-way cooperation and shared ecosystems.
The editorial cites several cases. SAIC-GM's joint venture term was extended by 20 years and it sells the Buick Electra E7 overseas. SAIC Volkswagen renewed its contract six years early and sells some models in Uzbekistan. Changan Mazda exports the overseas EZ-6 from its Nanjing plant to more than 20 countries and regions. FAW, Toyota and GAC signed a new strategic cooperation framework in Guangzhou.
It names China's strengths as the world's largest new energy vehicle market, the most complete industrial chain and the largest R&D workforce. Citing UBS data, it says that since 2018 Volkswagen, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have formed technology partnerships with at least 38 Chinese companies and research institutes in software, hardware, batteries and connected-car technology. Volkswagen built a full-process R&D and testing center in Hefei, and Renault, Porsche and Kia are moving the same way.
Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory delivered more than 95,000 vehicles in September, its highest monthly figure this year. According to the editorial, over six and a half years of operation it has produced more than 4.5 million electric vehicles, over 45% of Tesla's global output. The editorial rejects a zero-sum view of China's growth, stresses cooperation as a long-term opportunity, and concludes that a stronger China and a better world go together.
This is a commentary from a Chinese state-run outlet and reflects the Chinese side's assessment. The figures and cases it lists should be checked against company announcements, and we do not treat the editorial's claims as established fact, only relay its main points.
Third perspective: In our view, the editorial's question is whether China has moved up from a 'manufacturing base' to an 'R&D base.' For multinationals, developing in China may make sense on cost and speed, but some countries also voice concern about technological dependence and supply-chain security. Korea's auto and parts industry is likewise weighing how to link development and production in the Chinese market, so both perspectives are worth reading together.
