The industrial cluster for new energy vehicle core components in Taicang, a dynamic county-level city in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, has recently been recognized as a provincial-level characteristic industrial cluster for small and medium-sized enterprises in 2024, according to the announcement by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology.

This thriving cluster, in collaboration with a group of German enterprises, aims to build a comprehensive industrial chain of new energy vehicles. It covers six key categories, including body structural parts, exterior elements, interior fittings, powertrain components, steering systems, and onboard electronics.

The cluster's remarkable trajectory in 2023 highlights its success. With a robust network of 103 enterprises, it achieved an industrial output value of 74.46 billion yuan ($10.24 billion), reflecting an average annual growth rate of 11.75 percent over the past three years.

Globally, the cluster has gained significant recognition, with 12 companies ranking among the world's top 100 automotive parts manufacturers, including Schaeffler, establishing their strong presence in Taicang.

The new energy vehicle core components industry stands as a cornerstone of Taicang's economic landscape. The city is leveraging the cluster's strengths to nurture various core industrial chains, such as automotive drive systems, battery control mechanisms, and essential components.

With a strategic vision centered on high-end industrial development, innovation, autonomy, and low-carbon growth, Taicang is poised to embark on several significant initiatives. These include pioneering breakthroughs in key common technologies, enhancing precision in investment attraction for the industrial chains, and accelerating the development of research and innovation capabilities.

A bird's-eye view of Taicang High-Tech Zone. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_5d51cb296177]