Chongqing - In Chongqing's Bishan District, FinDreams Battery operates its highly intelligent production lines at full capacity, producing a blade battery every six seconds.

The blade battery production line of BYD. (Photo/Bishan District)

FinDreams Battery, a subsidiary of China-based electric vehicle maker BYD, boasts an annual output value surpassing 20 billion yuan (about USD 2.75 billion) for two consecutive years. BYD's blade batteries power Tesla, Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, and other popular electric vehicles from major automakers.

The intelligent connected new energy vehicle(NEV) industry clusters emerging as a top priority in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. Both Bishan and Sichuan's Suining City are pivotal in propelling this fast-paced industry growth.

Bishan is a hub for advanced manufacturing and technology, while Suining excels in agriculture and emerging industries, offering a balanced economic structure. Both are strategically located along the Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed railway, ensuring efficient transportation and logistics.

Not only is blade battery production reaching new heights in Bishan, but Jinguan Auto, a high-tech enterprise specializing in recreational vehicles (RVs), and special-purpose vehicles, also marks a significant presence with a production value of 11 million U.S. dollars from Jan-May, 2024.

As of 2023, Bishan has attracted 135 enterprises within the NEV industry chain, including major players like BYD, Zhongche Hengtong, and Chongqing Qingshan Industry Co., Ltd. The collective annual output value has soared to over 60 billion yuan, with a growth rate of 14.8%. 

The assembly workshop of Zhongche Hengtong. (Photo/Bishan District)

This year, key projects like Huate Power's 5.6 billion yuan methanol-reforming hydrogen fuel heap have launched, boosting the local economy. Automakers like Zhongche Hengtong are driving Bishan's automotive exports to 800 million yuan in the first quarter with overseas orders.

In Suining, the industry's robust growth is similarly echoed. "In the first half of this year, our company's output value increased by over 50% compared to the same period last year," said Zhan Ling, director of the production department of Sichuan Fengke Auto Parts Co., Ltd.

Fengke Auto Parts specializes in making instrument panel tube beams, engine mounts, and frame components for JAC's light trucks.

Workers in the JAC welding workshop are operating efficiently. (Photo/Zhang Linqi)

"From January to May, we achieved an output value of 960 million yuan, up over 30% from last year," said Hu Jiang, director of JAC's assembly workshop. He added that JAC is advancing its technology and expanding its lineup of hybrid and natural gas vehicles.

From January to May, NEV output in Sichuan and Chongqing has seen a 144% increase from last year. Additionally, 21% of China's power batteries were produced in these regions. The region is on track to realize its vision of creating a trillion-level intelligent connected NEV industry cluster.

Sichuan-Chongqing region produces 21% of China's power batteries. (Graphic/Zheng Ran)

Bishan plans to launch 30 automobile projects, targeting an output value of over 70 billion yuan, focusing on super-charged batteries and hydrogen fuel electric piles. Suining aims to build a comprehensive industrial chain from lithium resource development to battery recycling, solidifying its role in the automotive industry.