Looking ahead to 2025, the Chinese automotive market is poised to maintain good performance and make progress while ensuring stability, with a notable growth of about 30 percent in new energy vehicle (NEV) sales, according to the ChinaEV100 Forum on Monday.
ChinaEV100 serves as a third-party think tank aimed at boosting the development of EV industry. Its annual forum stands out as a key gathering for the industry.
It predicts that total vehicle sales in China will reach approximately 32 million units in 2025, with about 26 million units sold in the domestic market, reflecting a growth rate of 3 percent. In the NEV segment, total sales, including exports, are expected to hit 16.5 million units, with domestic demand anticipated to reach 15 million units, leading to a market penetration rate exceeding 55 percent.
Experts at the forum note that plug-in hybrid and extended-range electric vehicles will play a crucial role in driving sales growth in the NEV sector. Additionally, new-generation products, particularly solid-state batteries, are set to accelerate mass production.
"Semi-solid or quasi-solid batteries will gain a substantial market presence next year, and we anticipate that fully solid-state battery technology will begin small-scale deployment by 2027 or 2028," said Zhang Yongwei, secretary general of ChinaEV100.
Experts also predict a comprehensive acceleration in the intelligent transformation of NEVs in 2025, with smart cockpits and autonomous driving features becoming standard equipment. Artificial intelligence technology is poised to revolutionize the automotive industry, as large language models integrate into enterprise operations will propel smart manufacturing upgrades.
Furthermore, the year of 2025 is poised to be a pivotal one for the international expansion of China's NEVs, with Latin America, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Middle to be key overseas markets for Chinese EV makers to explore, according to the forum.
China has topped the global list for nine consecutive years in both NEV output and sales, contributing to over 60 percent of the world's NEV output and sales in 2023.
For the entirety of 2024, NEV sales are expected to exceed 13 million units, pushing the country's total auto sales to over 31 million units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
China's NEV sales projected to surge about 30 pct in 2025: ChinaEV100 Forum
China's NEV sales projected to surge about 30 pct in 2025: ChinaEV100 Forum
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has described the swift changes in Syria as a surprise to all parties, including former President Bashar al-Assad, while cautioning external powers against interfering in the country's internal affairs.
The remarks follow a dramatic turn of events on Dec. 8 last year when Syrian rebel forces captured the capital, Damascus, forcing Assad to flee to Russia.
In the wake of these events, Araghchi visited China from Dec. 27 to 28, where he held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), which aired on Friday, Araghchi shared his insights on the recent upheaval and outlined Iran's perspective on Syria's future.
"We had known for a few months that the Syrian opposition was organizing forces and planning new military actions. We shared this intelligence with the Syrian government, and, as far as we know, Russia also provided similar information. In any case, we were aware of the potential developments in Syria. However, the situation unfolded so rapidly, and the Syrian army offered no resistance -- something that no one, not even Bashar al-Assad himself, had anticipated," Araghchi said.
He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in helping Syria maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while stressing that Syria's future must be decided by its own people.
"Countries in the region must unite and help Syria establish a broad, inclusive government that represents all ethnic groups and factions. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria must be preserved. Syria should not become a gathering place or safe haven for terrorists, nor should it pose a threat to its neighbors and other countries in the region. This principle is shared by all countries in the region regarding the current situation in Syria. External powers should not interfere in Syria's internal affairs. The future of Syria must be decided by its own people, as they are the true masters of the country and its destiny. Our role is to assist them once they make the right decisions. We hope to see a peaceful, stable Syria, one that is friendly to its neighbors," Araghchi said.
Further elaborating on Iran's position, Araghchi stated that Iran is waiting for Syria to stabilize and announce its new foreign policies.
"We are waiting for the Syrian transitional government to announce its policies toward other countries in the region and beyond, and for the government to stabilize itself. What we are looking at is not superficial changes or slogans, but tangible actions. Our engagement with the Syrian transitional government will depend on its actions. Iran is acting with complete goodwill, and we hope for Syria's stability. We'd like to help Syria achieve stability and ensure the safety of all its communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Arabs, and Kurds," said the Foreign Minister.
Swift changes in Syria took everyone by surprise: Iranian FM
