Innovation vital to solve urbanization challenges

Infiniti president says auto industry must partner with city managements

Infiniti President Roland Krueger speaks about innovation-driven urbanization at the China Development Forum 2015. [Zhu Xingxin / China Daily]

Innovation will help China better tackle the traffic and environmental challenges emerging in its urbanization drive, industry leaders said at the ongoing China Development Forum.

Roland Krueger, president of Infiniti Motor Co Ltd, said the auto industry is required to become a partner in the management of cities in order to address urbanization challenges.

"With breakthrough solutions in connective technologies, autonomous driving and new energy solutions, we have a very exciting vision for future cities, which is to be free of accidents, congestion, and emissions," said the only invited speaker from premium automakers.

Statistics show that the urbanization rate reached 55 percent by the end of 2014 in China. Along with that result come some negative byproducts, including urban sprawl, traffic congestion and environmental concerns.

Earlier this month during the annual "Two Sessions", Premier Li Keqiang said in his government work report that efforts must be stepped up to continue the fight against "urban diseases", such as air pollution and traffic congestion, to improve people's living standards.

While governments and regulators foster frameworks to address those issues, at its core the world is expecting new technology solutions, Krueger said, adding that the auto industry is uniquely positioned to come up with such innovations.

An ongoing trend is that cars are becoming the next smart mobile devices that will allow for communication, entertainment and socializing thanks to in-car mobile Internet technology. Infiniti also develops an infotainment system that allows access to digital radio, e-mail, navigation and many other functions.

Krueger said that connectivity will enable vehicles to do more things and successful car companies in the future will be mobility partners, with their business model expanding from products to services to systems to platforms.

"Our vehicles will still move around people and goods, but within a network provided through ultra-connectivity.

"This not only addresses mobility needs of the society and of individuals, it also provides for an expanded business model of the future."