(Yicai) April 30 — Chinese automakers have dominated the first Carmakers’ International Online Influence Ranking of the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, securing 11 of the top 20 positions, including the first four spots.
Chery Automobile ranked first with 6,490 mentions on global news reports and social media posts between April 21 and today, followed by BYD at 6,030, Changan Automobile at 5,500, and Geely Automobile Holdings at 5,490, according to Meltwater data compiled by Yicai.
This dominant performance by Chinese carmakers indicates a fundamental shift in global automotive influence, with the focus moving towards Chinese brands, followed by premium foreign brands and high-volume manufacturers.
Germany also had a solid presence in the ranking, with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen ranking fifth, sixth, and eighth, respectively. Japan’s Toyota and Nissan ranked seventh and 14th. Representing the United States, there were Tesla, Ford Motor, and General Motors in ninth, 13th, and 19th spot, respectively.
Personality International Online Influence Ranking
In addition to a ranking for enterprises, Yicai also compiled one for influential personalities. Six of the top 10 spots in the Personality International Online Influence Ranking were taken by Chinese executives.
Changan Auto’s Chairman Zhu Huarong ranked first with 2,861 mentions between April 14 and today. At the Shanghai Auto Show, the Chongqing-based carmaker unveiled an ambitious plan to launch 45 new products over the next five years, with a five-million-car sales target for 2030.
US President Donald Trump ranked second with 2,343 mentions, mainly due to widespread concerns about his tariff policy’s impact on the global automotive supply chain and resulting uncertainties.
Chinese bosses, such as Zhu, Nio’s Chief Executive Officer William Li, and Chery International’s Deputy General Manager Zhu Shaodong, mainly gained attention through product launches and strategic announcements, while global leaders, including BMW’s Chairman Oliver Zipse and Porsche’s CEP Oliver Blume, were popular for unveiling their Chinese market strategies and localized research and development investments, according to industry experts.
Nevertheless, both sides demonstrated a high regard for electrification, intelligence, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Blurring Boundaries
Chinese intelligent driving solution suppliers also attracted much attention at the Shanghai Auto Show.
In fact, Peng Bo, director of product at Chinese technology firm Xingji Meizu Group, ranked third in the Personality International Online Influence Ranking. Yang Liwei, GM of ByteDance’s cloud computing services unit Volcano Engine’s automotive business and head of its smart mobility and embodied AI institute, ranked 10th.
Meanwhile, Huawei Technologies ranked 12th in the Carmakers’ International Online Influence Ranking. The Shenzhen-based company does not make cars itself but instead forms three types of partnership with carmakers, as vertical parts supplier, intelligent systems supplier via Huawei Inside, or full-set solutions supplier through its Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance.
«Cross-boundary collaborations have become a norm in the Chinese automotive industry,» an industry insider said. “The rankings reflect the accelerating appearance of cars with AI technologies, consumer electronics, and online ecosystems, clearly indicating the future development direction.”
This year’s Shanghai Auto Show runs from April 23 to May 2. It has attracted nearly 1,000 companies from 26 countries and regions, bringing about 1,300 cars for display. Over 100 new vehicles debuted at the event, more than 70 percent of which were new energy vehicles.
Editor: Futura Costaglione
