Competition producing steady stream of new NEV models

Reliable delivery

Kevin Li, president of Magna China, described China as one of the world's most dynamic auto markets, where competition is producing a steady stream of new models and a faster pace of iteration.

Li cited Magna's work with Chery to bring its DHD Duo dedicated hybrid drive system into series production on the JETOUR G700 after an 18-month development cycle, as an example of balancing development speed with reliability.

Before the prototype design was finalized, engineers identified hundreds of potential risks, while accumulated development data and capabilities in simulation, testing and verification helped avoid repeated design changes and additional rounds of testing during the first two prototype stages, he added.

At the industry level, draft amendments to three recommended national standards — released for public feedback in July — proposed setting a minimum reliability-test mileage of 30,000 kilometers for electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles.

A mandatory national standard on EV battery safety that took effect on July 1 includes seven cell-level tests and 17 battery-pack or system tests, covering risks including high temperatures, collisions, short circuits and overcharging.

Under the standard, batteries must not catch fire or explode in thermal propagation tests, and the same requirement applies to an external short-circuit test conducted after 300 fast-charging cycles.

Li said the auto industry has no shortage of good ideas, but the real challenge is turning them into products that could be delivered at scale while meeting requirements for regulatory compliance, quality, cost, efficiency and reliability.

Doing so, he added, requires strong engineering and manufacturing capabilities, resilient supply chains and disciplined operations.

XINHUA