China’s NEV boom makes Heihe an international cold

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By Feng Fan (Global Times) 13:02, February 26, 2025

Many of the vehicles passing these tests are built not only for China's domestic market, but also aim for global expansion. Geely, one of China's major automotive brands, exported 403,923 cars in 2024, marking a 53 percent increase compared to the previous year. This surge reflects the growing demand for vehicles that not only meet Chinese market needs but also align with global standards.

Heihe's role as a cold-weather testing center extends beyond Chinese brands. Global automakers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai also conduct testing in Heihe, said Zhao Xinhong, general manager of Heilongjiang Red Valley Automobile Test Co, a leading player in the city's automotive testing sector.

Cold-weather testing not only pushes the high-quality development of China's automotive industry, but is also an important avenue for increasing global recognition of Chinese automotive standards.

As of November 2024, Heihe's testing grounds had contributed to the establishment of 42 international, national, and industry standards for cold-weather testing, and its data is now recognized in over 40 countries, according to the Heihe municipal government.

The evolving landscape of winter testing serves as a microcosm of the transformation within China's NEV sector—shifting from following global automotive trends to actively contributing to the development of global standards.

"In the past, 70 percent of the vehicles tested in Heihe were from international brands, but now 70 percent are from Chinese automakers," Zhao said.

From follower to leader

China's cold-weather vehicle testing industry has expanded significantly in recent years. However, following over a decade of rapid growth and innovation, it has transitioned from a follower to a global leader in the industry.

In the past, Chinese automakers relied on overseas winter testing. Today, Heihe's advanced facilities meet nearly all domestic cold-weather testing demands, Ji Xu, a testing engineer at Heilongjiang Red Valley Automobile Test Co, told the Global Times.