Infiniti China Managing Director Kevin Mao

Q1, What are your expectations for the auto show?

A1: With the Geneva auto show, Detroit auto show, Paris auto show, and other auto shows being canceled or held online, the Beijing auto show has become the only top-level international auto show held offline this year, attracting much attention at home and abroad.

Q2, With the pandemic slowing down, China’s automotive market has started to recover in the second quarter. What do you predict for China's auto market in the near future? The current recovery trend shows a “V” shape in sales, what do you think would be in the next stage? A “√” shape, a “W” shape, an “M” shape, or a “√¯” shape?

A2: With the increase in market demand, we have regained confidence in the future. The luxury car market was particularly prominent and showed a high growth trend. In August, premium car retail sales increased by 32 percent year-on-year, and the market share reached a record high of 15 percent. Although the incremental market turned to the stock market and the pandemic brought downward pressure on the economy, it did not affect the upward trend of the premium car market.

Q3, Can you use a few keywords to describe your predictions for the Chinese and global automotive industries in the next five years?

A3: Age of the stock market, new business forms of the digital economy, brand values of human and service-oriented

Q4, The virus has drastically affected people's lives. It has also caused people to rethink many aspects of life, including their way of traveling, and business management. From your perspective, what are the most important lessons we can take away from this pandemic? Can you also use a few keywords to summarize the impact?

A4: We should build a social consensus and unite all forces to overcome difficulties together. Infiniti has issued a series of targeted dealer assistance policies to maintain its stability in the emergency period. Besides, Infiniti brings the service-upgrading policy for consumers. And we are also keenly aware that facing a crisis, only by taking the initiative, making innovations, and pursuing change with one heart and one mind can we turn a problem into an opportunity and maintain steady development momentum.

Q5, What do you think about the social responsibilities that the automotive companies have taken during the epidemic?

A5: It is not only incumbent but also the mission of auto companies to actively fulfill their social responsibilities in the pandemic. Infiniti published the support policies for dealers and front-line sales immediately, canceled performance assessment of dealers, and provided subsidies for front-line employees. It also used digital platforms to conduct online car-viewing, car-selecting and improve consumer service experiences during COVID-19.

Q6, In the post-epidemic era, how will China's position and role be affected in the global automotive industry? What do you think the players should do next?

A6: China’s automobile market’s tenacious vitality and incredible potential are the key points to realizing economic restoration. The crisis will breed hope. The actions and changes in China’s automobile market after COVID-19 may lead to new changes in the global automobile industry and enterprises.