BMW CEO emphasized that the automotive industry cannot do without the Chinese market.

According to Reuters, before German Chancellor Merkel's visit to China, BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse warned that if German carmakers ignore the world's largest car market in China, it will jeopardize future economic success, and he also emphasized the importance of cooperation with Beijing. Zipse said in an interview on February 19th, "Complex global challenges can only be solved through cooperation. The Chancellor's visit to China will send a strong signal to strengthen dialogue and cooperation." He believes that if the huge market size and innovation potential of China are ignored, it "would mean missing out on a major opportunity for global growth and economic success." The Chinese market has long been an important source of profit for German carmakers, but with the push of electric car subsidy policies, Chinese domestic brands have quickly risen. At the same time, some traditional car companies are gradually falling behind in the competition in areas such as electric vehicles, software platforms, and autonomous driving technology. Zipse said, "Innovation and progress do not happen in isolation, but rather through a combination of pioneering spirit, openness, and global expertise." It was revealed that the CEOs of Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz will also accompany the delegation to China.