{"id":15591,"date":"2025-03-11T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/?p=15591"},"modified":"2025-04-23T08:41:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T08:41:25","slug":"driving-uk-china-collaboration-in-smart-transport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/driving-uk-china-collaboration-in-smart-transport\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving UK-China collaboration in smart transport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Smart transport solutions have seen rapid development in China in recent years, presenting significant opportunities for UK businesses to collaborate and benefit from advancements in the sector. Such partnerships offer not only environmental benefits, but also financial gains for companies, employees, and the broader economy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This was the focus of a panel discussion at the UK-China Business Forum 2025<\/a>, featuring insights from Herbert Lonsdale, International Automotive Consultant and former Global Skills Ambassador for the Institute of the Motor Industry; Simon Bisp<\/a>, Head of Customer Services for BYD; David Wong, Head of Innovation and Technology at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT); and Professor Xu Hongming, Chair of Energy and Automotive Engineering at the University of Birmingham. The panel explored how the UK and China can work together to accelerate the adoption of smart transport technologies, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), and address the challenges of transitioning to a greener future.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"launchpad<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Herbert Lonsdale opened the discussion by highlighting the challenges facing the UK automotive industry. \u201cWe\u2019re in the midst of a perfect storm,\u201d he said. \u201cThe industry is undergoing an enormous transition, and while EV sales are growing by 20% annually, this growth is largely driven by the fleet market. The retail market remains depressed.\u201d Lonsdale emphasised the need for a clear government strategy to encourage EV adoption. \u201cInstead of focusing on fines for non-compliance, we should be telling people why driving an EV is a good idea,\u201d he said. He pointed to China\u2019s extensive charging infrastructure, with 6.5 million chargers nationwide, as a model for the UK to follow. \u201cWe\u2019re lagging behind in terms of charging infrastructure, and there\u2019s also a scarcity of skilled workers. We need to provide vocational training to address the shortage of 43,000 advanced technology students by 2030,\u201d he added. Lonsdale called for bolder initiatives, such as the training programs piloted in Shandong, China, to be replicated in the UK. \u201cThe government needs to create a skilled workforce to attract investment and build large-scale manufacturing capabilities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon Bisp of BYD echoed Lonsdale\u2019s call for a customer-centric approach to EV adoption. \u201cIncentives are important, but it\u2019s equally crucial to communicate the benefits of EVs to consumers,\u201d he said. Bisp highlighted BYD\u2019s strategy of developing multiple solutions to stay ahead of the curve. \u201cTraditional manufacturers often find that their new products are outdated by the time they hit the market. At BYD, we\u2019re already working on future solutions so we\u2019re ready when the time comes,\u201d he explained. Bisp also emphasised the importance of affordability, noting that BYD\u2019s plug-in hybrid models have been particularly successful in bridging the gap for consumers hesitant to fully transition to EVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n