BAODING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 August 2025 - Great Wall Motor (GWM) has combined sport, technology, and industrial pride in a landmark event—the 2025 GWM Smart Factory Half Marathon—held inside its Xushui Smart Factory in Baoding, Hebei Province. Over 10,000 runners raced through stamping, welding, and assembly workshops, surrounded by a living showcase of China's cutting-edge automotive manufacturing. From the rhythmic movements of robotic arms to the precision of autonomous transport vehicles, participants witnessed first-hand how GWM's fully automated production lines integrate intelligence and efficiency into every step of the manufacturing process. One runner, a GWM employee, recalled: "I was running alone when a robotic arm flashed 'You can do it!' on its screen. It was a small gesture, but it gave me real motivation." Today, GWM's smart production systems seamlessly integrate automation into every step of the manufacturing process. Robotic arms now handle everything from body welding and materials handling to adhesive application and part transfers with speed and precision. Backed by continuous independent innovation, GWM has achieved in-house R&D and production of key components including engines, transmissions, and power batteries. Relentless Pursuit of Core Technologies, GWM Accelerates Self-Reliant Innovation GWM employs a formidable engineering workforce of 23,000 professionals, meaning one in every four employees is an engineer. At the company's Environmental Wind Tunnel Laboratory, new vehicle prototypes are put through rigorous simulations: searing sunlight, extreme heat, heavy rainfall, and hurricane-force winds. Inside the sealed chamber, these vehicles rotate through intense climate scenarios. Outside, technicians closely monitor real-time data on massive digital dashboards—precision and performance. "Our Environmental Wind Tunnel is one of the most advanced in the industry, comprising 35 subsystems, including high-powered air blowers, chassis dynamometers, temperature and humidity controls, solar simulation, and centralized control systems," said Li Can, Head of Environmental Simulation Testing Department of GWM Technical Center. "It can recreate temperatures from -40°C to +60°C, with wind speeds up to 250km/h—enabling us to simulate extreme climate conditions from around the world and ensure our vehicles meet global standards from day one." This facility is just one piece of GWM's expansive innovation ecosystem demonstrating our commitment to technology. The company has invested nearly RMB 10 billion to establish a world-class testing complex, with more than 2,000 testing capabilities across new energy, thermal management, as well as dedicated facilities for crash safety, and comprehensive proving ground. "Electrification and artificial intelligence have opened a new frontier for the automotive industry," said Jack Wey, Chairman of GWM. We are leaning in—with a full-stack approach to intelligent vehicle technology, including our proprietary end-to-end intelligent driving models, next-generation AI data intelligence architecture, and the in-house Jiuzhou Supercomputing Center. Our next-generation advanced driver assistance system, developed entirely in-house, enabled real-world driving scenarios—from dense city streets to open highways, from rural roads to precision parking. We believe technology is not just a tool—it is the engine that drives our future," Jack Wey added. "That's why we are unwavering in our commitment to R&D and innovation." Driven as One,GWM Strengthens its Automotive Supply Chain Through Vertical Integration In the 1990s, GWM was still a small manufacturer focused on pickup trucks, relying heavily on external suppliers for core components like engines and transmissions. To change that, the company established its own engine and component subsidiaries, gradually integrating its supply chain to enhance in-house R&D and manufacturing capabilities. But such success also brought new challenges. These newly formed component subsidiaries depended almost entirely on internal orders from GWM, leaving them with little incentive for innovation. As a result, their costs exceeded those of third-party suppliers, and product competitiveness lagged behind. In 2018, GWM made a bold move—all of its component subsidiaries were spun off as fully independent companies. Initially, this came at a cost. Without guaranteed orders from GWM, many struggled to survive. "That was one of the toughest periods we've been through," recalled Zhang Dehui, Chairman of Nobo Automotive Systems. "We had to compete head-to-head with international suppliers for GWM's business. It forced us to raise our quality standards and invest in core capabilities. It took several years of hard work before we could secure mass production contracts again." Yet that difficult transition unlocked new opportunities. Freed from...