Symposium catalyzes Hefei-Yokohama synergy in autonomous ecosystem

An international symposium on China's autonomous driving technology and urban-industry synergy co-hosted by The Drivery Japan, Grand Union of Innovation (GUi), and TNP Partners recently took place at Tech Hub in Yokohama, Japan, and online.

Gathering nearly 200 representatives of Sino-Japanese automotive manufacturers, tech firms, governments, and academia, the event focused on urban innovation ecosystems, opening a new chapter in smart mobility collaboration.

Kawabata Yumi, chief marketing officer of The Drivery Japan, delivered a keynote speech, highlighting Chinese automakers' innovation in electrification, intelligence and scenario application. She said Chinese firms lead in autonomous driving through full industrial chain collaboration and rapid iteration, citing Shanghai Auto Show cases. In contrast, Japanese automakers like Nissan, despite a 200-billion-yen ($1.43-billion) investment plan, face challenges in technical pathways.

During the speech, a representative of GUi discusses the development of Hefei's NEV industry in detail. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_da57a4eb9d4e]

Hefei, which recorded China's highest new energy vehicle (NEV) output in 2024, saw its industrial practices emerge as a focal point. Representatives of GUi explained that Hefei is building an innovation-industry ecosystem via a "manufacturing+technology" dual drive. Firms like NIO and BYD offered valuable experience for the scaled implementation of autonomous driving.

A Yokohama representative shares the city's advanced mobility strategy. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_da57a4eb9d4e]

Representatives from Yokohama shared plans for a diversified autonomous driving network, robot taxi trials with Nissan, and open data innovation. Its system integration complements Hefei's scaled implementation.

A representative of The Drivery Japan said that industrial collaboration between two cities will yield surprising results. This symposium shows China's confidence in NEVs and confirms the global trend of "urban-ecosystem symbiosis". GUi will deepen international cooperation to drive autonomous driving toward ecological synergy, contributing its wisdom to global smart mobility.