Technology is the primary productive force, talent is the foremost resource, and innovation is the driving force—these are the fundamental principles guiding enterprises’ high-quality development. In technology innovation practices led by talent, three key factors—products, patents, and standards—are the core elements that enable enterprises to win in the market and lead their industries. Over the past year, Wanxiang has achieved new milestones and earned new honors in shaping cutting-edge products, managing intellectual property rights, and developing industry standards, injecting fresh momentum into its corporate growth.

Product: Building Core Competitiveness for Enterprises

The Zhejiang Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology has released the list of first-of-its-kind (set) equipment certified for 2024 in Zhejiang Province. Among the selected items is the “end-face-driven low-torque hub bearing unit” developed by Zhejiang Wanxiang Precision Engineering Co., Ltd. This marks Wanxiang’s fourth independently developed first-of-its-kind (set) product.

This product is primarily used in automotive chassis drive systems. It is a core component located at the wheel axle, designed to bear loads and provide precise guidance for the rotation of the wheel hub. Developed independently for the first time in China by Wanxiang Jinggong in collaboration with User Company B, this product features integration, intelligence, and lightweight design. It enables efficient installation, effectively eliminates drive backlash, completely eliminates abnormal drive noises, and significantly improves the vehicle’s NVH performance. The related technologies have been granted 3 invention patents and 8 utility model patents. After rigorous evaluation, these technologies have been recognized as being at an internationally advanced level and demonstrate strong technological foresight. They can replace the widely used internal and external cylindrical spline engagement technology currently in use, thereby achieving import substitution. This product exclusively supplies high-end models of User Company B, addressing previous technological shortcomings and boasting broad application prospects as well as substantial growth potential in the market.

The Hubei Provincial Administration for Market Regulation has announced the list of high-quality products from Hubei Province, which includes the “Tongda” brand automotive metal fuel tanks manufactured by Wanxiang Tongda Co., Ltd. and the “rolling bearings—needle roller products” produced by Qianchao Zhizao (Shishou) Co., Ltd.

Wanxiang Tongda specializes in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of automotive metal fuel tanks and other related products. It is a national-level “Little Giant” enterprise recognized for its specialization, refinement, and innovation, as well as a single-champion enterprise in manufacturing in Hubei Province. The “Tongda” registered trademark is a well-known Chinese brand. The durability, sealing performance, salt-spray corrosion resistance, and cleanliness—key performance indicators of the company’s metal fuel tank products—are all at the leading domestic level, with some even reaching international-leading standards. These products are exported along with complete vehicles to countries and regions including Russia, Iran, and Southeast Asia. The products selected this time as Hubei’s premium offerings come in over 20 different cross-sectional specifications, with fuel tank capacities ranging from 160 liters to 1,000 liters. These products serve more than 20 major commercial vehicle OEMs in China and can meet the diverse needs of various users, earning a strong reputation in the market.

Shishou Qianchao Zhizao is deeply engaged in the specialized niche market of rolling elements, continuously driving technological innovation. Over the past two years, the company has completed more than 100 technology management innovation projects. In 2024, its output value increased by 33.9% compared to 2022, demonstrating strong capabilities in technology commercialization. The needle rollers produced by the company are core foundational components for industrial applications and are widely used in fields such as automobiles and precision machine tools. Faced with the industry challenge of being locked out of advanced needle roller manufacturing technologies, the company has undertaken material innovations and breakthroughs in manufacturing processes, and has established a comprehensive quality system spanning “R&D—production—testing.” As a result, the precision of its needle roller products is consistently maintained at Grade I standards—the highest international level—thus breaking the monopoly held by foreign brands. The company is also actively developing an intelligent production system; its newly launched automated visual inspection system ensures that the defect rate of products remains below 0.02%. Currently, these products are stably supplied to leading domestic and international customers, with exports accounting for nearly 40%.

Wanxiang Tongda specializes in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of automotive metal fuel tanks and other related products. It is a national-level “Little Giant” enterprise recognized for its specialization, refinement, and innovation, as well as a single-champion enterprise in manufacturing in Hubei Province. The “Tongda” registered trademark is a well-known Chinese brand. The durability, sealing performance, salt-spray corrosion resistance, and cleanliness—key performance indicators of the company’s metal fuel tank products—are all at the leading domestic level, with some even reaching international-leading standards. These products are exported along with complete vehicles to countries and regions including Russia, Iran, and Southeast Asia. The products selected this time as Hubei’s premium offerings come in over 20 different cross-sectional specifications, with fuel tank capacities ranging from 160 liters to 1,000 liters. These products serve more than 20 major commercial vehicle OEMs in China and can meet the diverse needs of various users, earning a strong reputation in the market.

Shishou Qianchao Zhizao is deeply engaged in the specialized niche market of rolling elements, continuously driving technological innovation. Over the past two years, the company has completed more than 100 technology management innovation projects. In 2024, its output value increased by 33.9% compared to 2022, demonstrating strong capabilities in technology commercialization. The needle rollers produced by the company are core foundational components for industrial applications and are widely used in fields such as automobiles and precision machine tools. Faced with the industry challenge of being locked out of advanced needle roller manufacturing technologies, the company has undertaken material innovations and breakthroughs in manufacturing processes, and has established a comprehensive quality system spanning “R&D—production—testing.” As a result, the precision of its needle roller products is consistently maintained at Grade I standards—the highest international level—thus breaking the monopoly held by foreign brands. The company is also actively developing an intelligent production system; its newly launched automated visual inspection system ensures that the defect rate of products remains below 0.02%. Currently, these products are stably supplied to leading domestic and international customers, with exports accounting for nearly 40%.

Intellectual Property: Building Strong, Long-Term Competitiveness

The Zhejiang Provincial Administration for Market Regulation and the Department of Economy and Information Technology jointly released the list of national pilot units (enterprises) for implementing the international standard on intellectual property management for innovation. Zhejiang Wanxiang Precision Engineering Co., Ltd. and Qianchao Transmission Shaft Co., Ltd. were selected. Being included in the pilot list signifies that the companies’ quality of intellectual property creation and management capabilities have received recognition at the national level.

Guided by the automotive industry’s demands for low energy consumption and environmental friendliness, Wanxiang Precision has continuously enhanced the lightweighting and low-friction performance of its products, and has been developing new products such as in-wheel drive systems and hub motors. The company’s intellectual property management system is integrated throughout the entire product innovation process. In 2024, it successfully passed the certification under the “Requirements for Enterprise Intellectual Property Compliance Management Systems” (GB/T 29490-2023). The company has stepped up its efforts to file patent applications for invention patents and now holds a total of 172 valid patents, including 72 invention patents. Its technical research and development efforts are focused on key areas such as “low friction, lightweight design, and intelligent technologies.” The resulting patented technologies have been successfully applied to automotive hub bearing units, and the technical level of these new products has been certified as leading domestically and advanced internationally. These high-quality invention patents have laid a solid technological foundation for the future widespread adoption of this technology in more vehicle models both at home and abroad, enabling the company to seize market opportunities and attract more high-end international customers. As a result, the company’s brand strength, product competitiveness, and long-term market resilience have been further enhanced.

The Transmission Shaft Company has long been dedicated to the research and development of automotive transmission shaft products. Leveraging its technological strengths, it has become a strategic partner to numerous leading domestic and international automakers. The company holds over 200 valid intellectual property patents and has successfully developed several cutting-edge industry technologies, including warm precision forging technology, high-precision dynamic balancing technology, lightweight and maintenance-free design applications, and aluminum-aluminum welding technology. In 2024, the company added 18 new high-value patents, further solidifying its technological leadership in the industry. The company places great importance on intellectual property protection and has established a comprehensive intellectual property management system. It regularly organizes internal patent exploration training sessions and patent search activities. Thanks to its outstanding performance in invention and innovation, patent commercialization, and intellectual property protection, the Transmission Shaft Company has achieved remarkable development results and consistently ranks among the top players in the domestic market for its industry.

Standard: Leading a New Momentum for the Industry

The State Administration for Market Regulation has awarded Wanxiang Qianchao Co., Ltd. the title of Standard Innovation Enterprise. Enterprises selected for this program leverage standardization principles and methods, with technological innovation and standardization integration as their core competitiveness. They exhibit typical characteristics such as promoting technological, managerial, and service innovations through the development and implementation of advanced standards, thereby supporting their own high-quality development and even leading the industry's high-quality growth.

Wanxiang Qianchao consistently adheres to a standardized management model in its innovative efforts spanning product R&D, design, and manufacturing. It upholds high standards in product performance indicators and testing methods, achieving multiple breakthroughs—from adopting existing standards to developing new ones, from enterprise and industry standards to national and international standards, and from participating in standard-setting to taking the lead in standard development and even determining who sets the standards. To date, Wanxiang Qianchao has spearheaded and participated in the formulation of 70 product-related standards covering universal joints, constant-velocity drive shafts, bearings, brakes, and other components—among which 3 are international standards, 18 are national standards, 42 are industry standards, and 7 are group standards such as “Made in Zhejiang.” By innovatively engaging in standard-setting, Wanxiang Qianchao has not only promoted its own corporate development and expanded its influence, gaining greater say in the industry, but has also made positive contributions to industry advancement, demonstrating the social responsibility of a major corporation.

Technological innovation is the driving force behind enterprise development, and intellectual property protection is a powerful lever for fostering innovation. Standards serve as enterprises’ technological calling cards, while products are the vehicles through which technological advancements are realized and the “passports” that enable enterprises to enter the market. All of Wanxiang’s manufacturing enterprises will continue to uphold the principle of strengthening enterprises through technology, persistently tackling challenges and achieving breakthroughs in product development and application, and continually elevating their own intellectual property rights into technical standards. By leveraging technological innovation to enhance corporate competitiveness and using technological progress to lead industry development, we will stay ahead in the global marketplace.