China’s latest industrial plans place electric vehicles, advanced technology, and global competitiveness firmly in focus. Here, we highlight two recent developments and offer our take on what they could mean for the automotive industry.

The 15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry

Beyond the Headline: China’s continued prioritization of automotive innovation signals sustained investment in advanced vehicle technologies and an increasingly competitive environment for global automakers and suppliers. As these initiatives move forward, companies may need to reassess their approaches to technology partnerships, intellectual property protection, and investment in the Chinese market.

Note: This article is published in Chinese. Readers may use their browser’s translation feature to view it in English.

Intelligent Connected NEVs Set to Boost China’s Auto Industry Upgrade

Beyond the Headline: China’s push to advance intelligent connected vehicles reflects ambitions extending beyond domestic EV production to technological leadership and international competitiveness. For global automakers and suppliers, these priorities could create opportunities for cross-border collaboration while intensifying competition, underscoring the importance of protecting proprietary technologies, managing partnerships, and evaluating market access strategies.

Additional Sources

The following Chinese-language government documents provide further context. Readers may use a translation tool to view the content in English.

Questions about these developments or their implications for your business? Contact Thomas Moga.

Dykema attorneys Mark Malven and Jay Logel will join a panel of automotive and mobility law practitioners for “Overview of Autonomous Vehicle Laws” at the State Bar of Michigan Information Technology Law Section’s Annual Summit on October 22, 2026.

Continue Reading Dykema’s Mark Malven and Jay Logel to Discuss Autonomous Vehicle Laws at Michigan IT Law Summit

Dykema’s automotive litigation practice has grown alongside the technologies and legal issues that have transformed the industry.

From airbags to autonomous vehicles, staying at the forefront has meant understanding not only the law, but the engineering behind it. That approach helped build the deep bench of litigators Dykema brings to complex automotive matters today.

As part of Dykema’s 100 Years, 100 Stories, we revisit how it all began and how that foundation continues to shape our work today.

Watch Deep Bench and explore Dykema’s longstanding connection to the automotive industry.

Dykema Drives webinars are back this fall with a program focused on an issue that cuts across automotive operations: talent, workforce, and supply chain risk.

On October 20, Dykema attorneys James Aldrich and Tina Toma will explore how workforce constraints, immigration and mobility challenges, and labor-related disruptions can affect production, supplier and customer relationships, contractual obligations, and business continuity.

Continue Reading Dykema Drives Webinars Return This Fall

Earlier this summer, Dykema’s Danielle Behrends shared her perspective with Law360 on elevated financial distress across several industries and the importance of addressing liquidity, restructuring and operational challenges early.

Continue Reading Rising Bankruptcies Put Automotive Supply Chains Under Pressure

There’s no shortage of news coming out of China’s automotive market. Here, we highlight two articles worth a read and offer our take on why the developments matter for the industry, beginning with how foreign automakers are adapting to a rapidly changing Chinese market and technology ecosystem.

Continue Reading China Auto: Beyond the Headlines

What will drive dealmaking in 2027, and what could stand in its way? Dykema is gathering input for its annual M&A Outlook, and early responses point to growing optimism, but some persistent challenges.

So far:

  • 57% expect U.S. M&A activity to strengthen over the next 12 months.
  • 50% believe private equity buyers will have the greatest influence on deal valuations.
  • 57% identify valuation gaps as a major obstacle to dealmaking, while 48% point to economic uncertainty.
  • 69% believe due diligence is one of the areas where AI will create the greatest value in the deal process.

But do those early findings reflect what the automotive and manufacturing sectors are seeing? From shifting supply chains and technology investment to portfolio realignment and capital pressures, the automotive industry brings a distinct perspective to the deal market. We want that perspective represented in the 2027 M&A Outlook.

The survey takes just a few minutes, and your input will help inform the automotive and manufacturing insights featured in Dykema’s 2027 M&A Outlook.

Share your perspective: M&A Outlook Survey.

Legal departments today are navigating an increasingly varied set of challenges, often at the intersection of law, technology, business, and risk. This year’s Summit will take on four timely areas: crisis management, connected vehicles, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and high-exposure litigation.

Serious Insight. Genuine Fun. Each has long been part of what defines the Summit. The day is designed to bring in-house counsel together with legal and corporate professionals to explore the issues they are confronting now, hear different perspectives, ask questions, and connect with others navigating many of the same challenges.

And then there’s M1 Concourse. Conversations can continue outside the formal program as attendees network, get out on the track, and enjoy an experience that is distinctly automotive.

Learn more about Dykema Drives Automotive Legal Summit and join us on August 20. Register today.

Sustained growth often comes from making the right acquisition at the right time.

Our latest Mergers & Acquisitions Outlook Survey found that 62% of respondents expect M&A activity across the automotive, transportation and mobility sectors to increase over the next year. While economic uncertainty continues to influence dealmaking, companies remain focused on acquisitions that expand capabilities, strengthen product portfolios and support long-term growth. Dykema regularly advises clients across the transportation sector on these business transactions, helping them execute strategies that align with their long-term objectives.

Recently, we advised a specialty vehicle equipment manufacturer on its acquisition of a market-leading manufacturer of truck-mounted equipment. The acquisition expanded the buyer’s product portfolio, further supporting its long-term growth strategy. The Dykema team included Nick Monaghan, Asel Lindsey, Cody Rockey, Teresa Giltner, Cameron O’Connor, Falak Momin, and Nick Ustaski.

Transactions like this illustrate how companies continue to pursue targeted acquisitions that complement existing capabilities and strengthen their competitive position.

Learn more about Dykema’s Transportation M&A capabilities and explore our Annual Mergers & Acquisitions Outlook Survey by visiting our website.