Sun Ya, Deputy Mayor of Wuhan: Automobiles Surpass Iron and Steel into Wuhan's Primary Industry
October 08 11:19:31, 2025
Wuhan, July 15 (Reporter Wu Zhaofei) Sun Ya, the vice mayor of Wuhan, who is attending the 5th Changchun Auto Show, revealed that the city's automotive industry generated a value of 54 billion yuan in 2006. For the first time, the auto sector surpassed the steel industry to become Wuhan’s largest economic pillar.
Sun Ya explained that Wuhan has long been known for its steel production. The Wuhan Iron and Steel Group, established in 1958, is the largest super-steel complex in New China. However, the city's automotive industry began to take shape with the establishment of Citroën, a joint venture between the French PSA Group and Dongfeng Motor Corporation in 1992. This marked the beginning of a rapid development in the local auto sector. In 2003, the opening of Dongfeng Nissan, the largest Chinese automotive joint venture at the time, further solidified Wuhan's position in the national auto industry. With the relocation of Dongfeng’s headquarters to Wuhan, the city became a key player in the central China auto triangle.
In August 2006, Wuhan was recognized as one of the first national auto parts and components bases, highlighting its growing importance in the industry.
"Wuhan has significant advantages in developing its automobile industry," Sun Ya noted. The city is within a 1,000-kilometer radius of major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Hong Kong, giving it strong market reach and distribution capabilities. Additionally, the national strategy to promote the rise of central China offers Wuhan a unique opportunity to become a strategic hub in the region. Wuhan also benefits from a solid industrial foundation, including the Wuhan Iron and Steel Group, which provides essential raw materials for the development of local auto parts manufacturers.
Looking ahead, Wuhan aims to build an annual production capacity of one million vehicles by 2010, with an output value exceeding 70 billion yuan. This ambitious goal reflects the city’s confidence in its future as a major player in China’s automotive landscape.