2025 China Automotive Forum Organizes Insightful Visits to Key Industry Sites

The organizers of the 2025 China Automotive Forum meticulously arranged a visit for a delegation to Karman Planet, Techic CMF Research Center, and the Shanghai Automobile Museum. These sites showcased the perfect blend of innovation and heritage in the automotive industry, leaving a deep impression on the visitors. The forum, hosted by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, took place from July 10-12 in Jiading, Shanghai, under the theme "Enhancing Quality and Embracing the Future with Intelligence." It featured a closed-door summit, a general forum, a technology leaders' summit, and twelve thematic forums among fifteen sessions and several accompanying activities. On the afternoon of July 10, the forum organizers arranged for representatives from automotive companies and media to visit Karman Planet and the Techic CMF Research Center, along with the Shanghai Automobile Museum. Both Karman Planet and Techic CMF unveiled their new office spaces in 2025. Each of the three visited entities had its own characteristics, impressing the delegation significantly. Karman Planet, the first stop, is one of the representative enterprises of new productive forces in Jiading, Shanghai, and serves as a nexus for visionary design concepts and commercial realization. The delegation explored the creative world behind Karman Planet's IP, learning how it transforms innovative designs into new productive forces. In Karman's showroom, three models were showcased, each with an appealing and futuristic design inspired by the concept of space diamond cutting. The visitors expressed great interest in their unique shapes, configurations, and development status. Karman staff introduced the product development and customization conditions both domestically and internationally. Established in 2016, Karman Planet specializes in high-end custom vehicle development and production, gathering top design talents from China and Italy. Its first model, the Karlmann King, debuted at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, renowned for its sharp, futuristic designs. At the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, Karman presented three models: Zr Zirconium, Ti Titanium, and Pt Platinum, all featuring space diamond as the core design element, showcasing organic forms with depth and sculptural quality, and offering various powertrain options. Karman has established four product lines: Mobility, Home, Fashion, and Culture. The second stop was the Techic CMF Research Center. The delegation examined its complete CMF closed-loop system, from trend research and innovative design to material development and engineering implementation. They learned how it creates zero-defect CMF solutions for top brands through a global resource network and stringent standards, serving as the core laboratory for the aesthetics and tactile experiences of future automobiles. Techic staff provided detailed insights into their product development and engaged in interactive discussions with the delegation. Founded in 2019 in Jiading, the Techic CMF Research Center is the first automotive CMF design and development center in China and a leader in the full CMF process. It continually supports the automotive industry by predicting consumer demands and optimizing market decisions to promptly adjust future strategies. Its business matrix encompasses brand strategy & consulting, trend research, innovative & mass production design, innovative material development, engineering & quality perception, and fragrance development. The third stop was the Shanghai Automobile Museum, where the delegation, guided by professional narrators, explored precious historical vehicles, legendary figures, and technological evolution, gaining an in-depth understanding of a century of automotive development. This visit allowed the delegation to appreciate the rich collections in the history and treasure halls, experiencing the profound charm of the fusion of technology and culture. The Shanghai Automobile Museum, China's first professional automotive museum, officially opened to the public on January 17, 2007, showcasing hundreds of classic antique cars from nearly 50 brands and presenting a comprehensive history of automobile development over a century. The museum spans 28,000 square meters, with over 10,000 square meters of exhibition space. It features a history hall, a treasure hall, automotive technology displays, and a family-friendly interactive space. The history hall organizes significant stages of automotive development into nine thematic exhibition areas, showcasing milestone vehicles and key events in the global automotive landscape. The treasure hall displays nearly 40 classic models and a variety of fueling equipment and household items from the late 19th century to the 1980s, vividly illustrating the close connection between human society and modern automobiles. The automotive technology display area creates a colorful world of automotive technology through intuitive exhibits and interactive installations covering structure, power, safety, comfort, and intelligence. The Magic City Children's Automotive Paradise is a dedicated space for children, offering an immersive exploration experience for families. This "exploration" trip organized by the 2025 China Automotive Forum greatly broadened the delegation's horizons and provided them with valuable insights.