đź•’ Last updated on September 11, 2025
A wake-up call for global automakers
In 2021, a sleek electric car called the Zeekr 001 rolled out in China. With its long range and stylish design, it caught the world’s attention. For many global automakers, especially premium European brands, it was a wake-up call. If they wanted to compete with fast-moving Chinese rivals, they would need access to the same technology.
This realization pushed several well-known companies to partner with Chinese firms. One of the quickest moves came from a German luxury brand that built an all-new electric sportback model for Chinese buyers in only 18 months. That car was powered by Chinese-made batteries, software, and advanced driving systems. Its price tag of around $33,000 made it a strong contender in one of the most competitive EV markets in the world.
Other international automakers quickly followed. Japanese and European giants began seeking deals with Chinese partners to co-develop cars built specifically for the Chinese market. Some even went a step further, preparing to launch global models based on Chinese electric vehicle platforms. This marked a shift in the way cars are developed, as technology from China started shaping vehicles sold not just in Asia but also across Europe and beyond.
Why “China Inside” is spreading fast
The strategy has been compared to the famous “Intel Inside” campaign from the 1990s, when computers gained value by showing they had powerful U.S.-made chips inside them. In the same way, many of today’s electric cars may soon carry “China Inside” at their core.
Chinese automakers have built what could be described as EV “kits.” These kits include batteries, platforms, and software that can be used by other carmakers to design and sell new vehicles quickly. Even smaller carmakers with limited budgets can buy these ready-made solutions and launch their own electric models without spending years and billions of dollars on development.
Some partnerships are already visible. A French brand released a budget-friendly electric car in Europe based on a platform from a Chinese automaker. Chinese engineers are now heavily supporting the development of another model, a compact city EV, at a design center in Shanghai.
American automakers are also testing the waters. One well-known U.S. company is actively looking for a Chinese partner to provide the technology for its future EVs. Its leadership has even praised the design and performance of Chinese electric sedans, noting how advanced they feel compared to many global offerings.
Meanwhile, one of the world’s biggest carmakers from Germany is deepening its partnership with a Chinese startup. Together, they are working on models that rely on Chinese-designed electronics and software. For now, the focus is on the Chinese market. But insiders say that if the experiment works well, it could be rolled out globally.
The growing business of EV technology
Behind these partnerships is a simple trade-off. Traditional carmakers need advanced electric technology to speed up development. Chinese companies, on the other hand, are facing tough challenges at home, where price wars are squeezing profits. By licensing their platforms, software, and batteries to global automakers, Chinese firms open a new revenue stream.
This arrangement also helps carmakers in other regions. Developing electric cars from scratch can take years and cost huge amounts of money. Using a ready-made Chinese platform saves both time and cost while still delivering a high-quality product. Experts say that this could shorten the time it takes for global automakers to catch up with Chinese EV makers, who have been leading the race with fast, modular designs.
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The licensing trend is not limited to cars. Chinese battery makers are also offering technology-sharing deals. One of the largest global suppliers has already licensed its battery plant technology to an American partner. Another has launched a flexible chassis system that allows car buyers to choose what their car looks like, rather than depending only on traditional automakers to decide.
In the Middle East, a state-backed investor has even used Chinese EV technology to build its own premium car brand. By combining a Chinese chassis with its own design elements, it is preparing to sell vehicles under a well-known luxury sports car name.
All these examples show how Chinese technology is spreading across the global automotive landscape. What started as an advantage at home is now being exported, reshaping how cars are built and how quickly they reach the market.
As competition grows, the phrase “China Inside” is becoming a reality for many cars worldwide. From Europe to America, from budget-friendly city cars to high-end luxury models, Chinese technology is quietly becoming the foundation of a new generation of vehicles.