On April 3, the reporter learned from the Department of Commerce that the Implementation Plan of Sichuan Province for Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Automotive Aftermarket (hereinafter referred to as the Plan) has been officially released. Jointly formulated by nine departments, including the Department of Commerce, the Department of Economy and Information Technology, the Department of Transport, and the Department of Culture and Tourism, the Plan introduces 12 innovative measures focusing on four aspects: cultivating industrial advantages, enhancing circulation levels, enriching consumer experiences, and strengthening supporting infrastructure. The Plan establishes goals for Sichuan's automotive industry by 2027: A total vehicle population of over 18.5 million, including more than four million new energy vehicles (NEVs), and an automotive aftermarket worth 700 billion yuan. This represents Sichuan Province's first dedicated policy initiative targeting the automotive aftermarket.

Data shows that in 2024, Sichuan's vehicle population reached 16.23 million, ranking seventh nationwide with a year-on-year growth of 5.3 percent. Chengdu, with nearly seven million vehicles, topped the national rankings in vehicle ownership. Sichuan's used car sales, power battery, and after-sales maintenance industries exert a radiating effect across the entire western China market.

The 12 innovative measures prioritize key thematic breakthroughs in "automotive + industry" for full-chain enhancement, "automotive + consumption" for scenario development, and "automotive + related fields" for cross-domain extension.

In terms of the "automotive + industry" for full-chain enhancement, the Plan proposes strategies for developing the entire value chain of power batteries, improving the recycling and utilization system, and expanding the coordination space between vehicle manufacturers and parts suppliers. Specific initiatives include supporting leading battery manufacturers in advancing lithium-ion battery products through iterative upgrades and fostering the growth of new-type energy storage technologies like vanadium redox flow, sodium-ion, and hydrogen fuel cells. Additionally, the Plan encourages companies across the industry chain to establish collaborative profit-sharing mechanisms and jointly construct a cross-regional power battery recycling and utilization network within the province. Another measure involves establishing a monitoring system for end-of-life vehicle recycling and processing capacity, featuring dynamic issuance of early warnings and risk alerts. This system is designed to help businesses and social investors make informed, rational investment decisions. Additionally, the Plan emphasizes the concentration of efforts on developing industries such as key components manufacturing, software and data services, and new chemical materials, in a bid to elevate the development capacity and standard of the automotive industry cluster.

In terms of building "automotive + consumption" scenarios, the Plan proposes to promote the efficient circulation of second-hand cars, cultivate and develop automotive racing events, create scenarios for car-based self-driving tours and sojourns, and enrich automotive cultural experience offerings. For instance, in order to bolster the circulation of used cars, the Plan proposes enhancing the residual value of second-hand NEVs through methods like battery cascade utilization, raising NEV replacement rates, supporting eligible regions in applying for designation as national pilot reform on the circulation and consumption of automobiles, and speeding up the development of a used car circulation hub in central and western China, among other initiatives.

To enrich the consumer experience in automotive aftermarkets, the Plan advocates for supporting the Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit in attracting prominent domestic and international racing brand resources to host a variety of events, including rallies, endurance races, and drift competitions, as well as cultivating grassroots automotive sports activities tailored to local conditions, such as self-driving and RV camping rallies and entry-level karting races. Concurrently, the Plan outlines the development of self-driving and RV camping sites along the "Greater Shu Road" cultural tourism corridor and the national highways 318 and 317 scenic routes. These sites will be enhanced with a variety of amenities and services, including drive-in theaters, car-themed restaurants, and auto hotels.

In the area of "automotive + related fields" extensions, efforts will be made to improve the supporting infrastructure for automobiles, optimize financial services for the automotive sector, and strengthen the development of automotive talent pools. The concrete actions involve promoting the extension and coverage of charging infrastructure to rural areas, standardizing the financing of automotive add-ons, exploring financial services such as mortgage and leasing options based on the property rights and usage rights of parking facilities, and cultivating skilled talents in automotive motor control, power battery, and auxiliary driving system testing and maintenance technologies.