{"id":47658,"date":"2026-06-26T02:21:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T02:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/47658\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T02:21:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T02:21:09","slug":"not-just-evs-chinese-automakers-surpass-japan-in-traditional-powertrains-says-nikkei","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/47658\/","title":{"rendered":"Not just EVs \u2013 Chinese Automakers Surpass Japan in Traditional Powertrains, Says Nikkei"},"content":{"rendered":"

Japanese media have publicly acknowledged that Chinese automakers are rapidly closing \u2013 and in some cases surpassing \u2013 Japan\u2019s long-held advantage in internal-combustion engine technology, particularly in hybrid powertrains.<\/p>\n

In an article titled \u201cChinese Automakers Rapidly Catching Up with Japanese Rivals in Engine Technology, Power-Conversion Efficiency and AI Utilisation,\u201d Nikkei Chinese<\/a> highlighted breakthroughs by Chery<\/a>, Geely<\/a> and Changan<\/a> that combine record thermal efficiency with intelligent control systems.<\/p>\n

Record-breaking thermal efficiency<\/p>\n

Chery unveiled its \u201cKunpeng Tianqing\u201d hybrid system on the new Tiggo 9 at the Shenzhen Auto Show. The engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 48.57 per cent \u2013 the highest figure publicly claimed by any automaker.<\/p>\n

Geely\u2018s \u201ci-HEV<\/a>\u201d powertrain, fitted to the Xingyue L (Monjaro), reaches 48.41 per cent efficiency through a 15.5:1 compression ratio, Miller-cycle valve timing and AI-driven energy management that adjusts in real time to altitude, humidity and temperature.<\/p>\n

Changan introduced<\/a> the \u201cBluecore Super Engine\u201d featuring the world\u2019s first mass-produced 500-bar high-pressure direct-injection system, delivering finer fuel atomization and sharper throttle response.<\/p>\n

These figures exceed the 38\u201345 per cent range typical of current gasoline engines and even surpass many modern hybrids previously regarded as class-leading.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Changan\u2019s Bluecore Super Hybrid technology. Credit: Changan<\/p>\n

Intelligence on ICE
Beyond hardware, Chinese engineers are embedding artificial intelligence and sensor fusion into engine control units. Geely\u2019s system, for example, continuously optimises combustion and energy flow, allowing the powertrain to adapt instantly to changing road and weather conditions. Chery plans to deploy the same engine family across plug-in hybrids and range-extender electric vehicles, targeting markets where charging infrastructure remains limited.<\/p>\n

Dual-track approach
While Chinese brands accelerate global electric-vehicle sales, they are simultaneously refining gasoline and hybrid technology to serve the more than 70 million annual buyers who still choose combustion-powered cars. In 2025, Chery sold 2.8 million vehicles, 70 per cent of them gasoline-powered, and exported<\/a> 1.34 million units \u2013 more than any other Chinese automaker.<\/p>\n

As reported by Nikkei, Japanese firms still lead in non-electric segments with a 30 per cent share versus China\u2019s 20 per cent, yet analysts at GF Securities argue that China\u2019s combination of ultra-efficient engines and vehicle intelligence is poised to reshape the hybrid market through 2038, when GlobalData forecasts hybrids will still account for 15 per cent of global sales.<\/p>\n

\"Avatar<\/a><\/p>\n

Liu Miao covers NEVs and batteries at CNC to contribute to the energy transition, in spare time he loves driving his EV around.<\/p>\n

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