The 3rd Chain Expo Opens Grandly

On July 16, the 3rd China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo (China International Supply Chain Expo) opened in Beijing. As an important platform for China to promote high-level opening up, this China International Supply Chain Expo focuses on global supply chain cooperation and innovation with a higher level of internationalization and clearer chain logic. The "transformation chain" power shown by the smart car industry chain is particularly eye-catching, bringing far-reaching influence and new opportunities to the global automotive industry and aftermarket.

• Unprecedented scale and high international participation: This year's Chain Expo attracted 651 Chinese and foreign companies and institutions from 75 countries, regions and international organizations to participate in the exhibition, with overseas exhibitors accounting for as high as 35%, setting a new high in the level of internationalization. More than 230 companies participated in the exhibition for the first time
• Focus on six major chains and innovation: The exhibition has set up six major industrial chains and supply chain service exhibition areas, including advanced manufacturing, green agriculture, digital technology, healthy life, smart cars, and clean energy. The innovation chain area, which was added for the first time, focuses on displaying the full chain of cutting-edge technology applications and industrial collaboration from the "invention end" to the "application end".
• Intensive debuts and first displays: During the exhibition, more than 100 new products, new technologies, and new services will be launched, exhibited, and displayed for the first time, an increase of 10% over the previous session, covering new energy logistics vehicles, battery materials, smart power supplies, and other fields.
• Global Initiative Released: The Beijing Initiative for the 3rd China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo was released at the opening ceremony, emphasizing the need to maintain supply chain stability, adhere to innovation, develop digital intelligence and green supply chains, and deepen global cooperation.

1.Technological upgrades give rise to new demands:

• The demand for new energy maintenance is surging: With the increase in the penetration rate of electrification, the after-sales demand for related accessories such as the three-electric system (especially battery detection, maintenance, and replacement), exclusive high-voltage components, thermal management systems, and charging interface modules will increase significantly.
• The demand for intelligent network accessories is rising: The demand for maintenance, replacement, and upgrade of sensors (cameras, radars), domain controllers, Internet of Vehicles communication modules, and smart cockpit related components will gradually emerge.
• The popularization of new material applications: The new high-performance materials displayed at the exhibition (such as special thermal conductive materials, fire-resistant insulation materials, and lightweight body materials) will be increasingly used in vehicles, and the after-sales market needs to follow up on related maintenance technologies and replacement parts supply.

2.Maintenance technology and equipment upgrade:

• Demand for professional diagnostic tools: Intelligent connected vehicles and complex three-electric systems require more professional diagnostic equipment, software, and technician skills. The aftermarket needs to invest in advanced diagnostic tools (such as diagnostic instruments that support multi-domain communications, battery analyzers) and personnel training.
• Maintenance processes adapted to new technologies: For example, the maintenance of methanol-fueled vehicles has its own particularities; the maintenance of flying cars (possible in the future) will require a completely new skill system and tool equipment.

3.Data-driven service model:

• Predictive maintenance: Using the data generated by vehicle networking, the aftermarket can develop predictive maintenance services, predict component failures in advance, and improve service efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Remote diagnosis and support: Networking technology makes remote diagnosis and expert support possible, improving maintenance efficiency, especially for complex or new faults.

4.Energy replenishment facilities related services:

• Maintenance of charging and battery swapping facilities: With the popularization of public and private charging piles and battery swapping stations, their installation, maintenance, and upgrade services have become emerging business points in the aftermarket. The demand for related accessories (such as charging gun heads, connectors, and power modules) has increased.
• Installation and maintenance of home charging piles: The installation, regular inspection, and fault repair of home charging piles are important service increments.

5.International cooperation brings new channels and standards:

• The Chain Expo promotes global supply chain cooperation and may provide domestic high-quality aftermarket parts suppliers with channels to enter the international aftermarket.
• The promotion of Sino-foreign cooperation projects (such as the Sino-German Demonstration Zone) may introduce or jointly formulate more advanced automotive maintenance technical standards and parts certification systems.

The third Chain Expo fully demonstrated China's strong strength and open attitude in building the "transformation chain" of smart cars. From core technology innovation to full industry chain collaboration, from local breakthroughs to international cooperation, China's automotive industry is reshaping the global supply chain at an unprecedented speed. This transformation not only drives the leap in vehicle technology, but also has a profound impact on the downstream auto parts aftermarket, giving rise to huge new demands and service model changes. Grasping the pulse of technological innovation and actively deploying new energy, intelligent, and network-related parts supply, maintenance technology, diagnostic equipment, and data services will be the key for aftermarket companies to seize future opportunities.