Analysis: China’s EV Whiz Kids Are Flipping the Script on Joint Ventures

For decades, foreign carmakers that wanted to sell passenger cars in China had to find a local partner and form a joint venture (JV). These JVs usually sold modified versions of the foreign carmakers’ existing models, manufactured by the local partner.

This rule, which was phased out in 2022, aimed to nurture a domestic automotive industry that would benefit from established giants’ technology and managerial expertise.