Auto parts exports should pay attention to anti-aging

Not long ago, some experts pointed out that China’s auto parts exports are facing many problems, and quality disputes are mostly caused by poor product reliability, among which the aging of non-metallic parts is more prominent.

The Guangzhou Weike Detection Technology Research Institute, under the China Electric Apparatus Research Institute, is an institution specialized in the aging of materials such as automobiles and home appliances. In response to the problems encountered in China's auto parts exports, especially the problem of material aging, recently, our reporter interviewed Lu Qikai, dean of the China Electric Apparatus Research Institute, and Yang Chunrong, deputy dean of the Guangzhou Weikai Inspection and Technology Research Institute.

"China Automotive News": What are the main problems encountered in China's auto parts exports?

Lu Qikai: The most prominent problem is that many auto parts companies do not have enough knowledge of the local environment in the export market, including the natural environment and technical barriers. This has caused some products to be exported, they are not adapted to the local climatic conditions, and are prone to quality problems. This has led to some trade disputes. Some companies have also faced claims.

In addition, it is difficult for China's auto parts and components to enter the global procurement supply chain of multinational automotive companies. At present, a large part of China's auto parts exports are in the aftermarket, and there are relatively few OEMs for multinational companies. First, there is indeed a gap in quality. Second, there is no way to know how to contact. Third, some foreign companies still have prejudice against the products manufactured in China and do not believe in the quality of China's auto parts.

Yang Chunrong: There are indeed problems in the process of exporting auto parts to adapt to the local environment. The environmental conditions in different parts of the world are different. The car is used outdoors. Many auto parts products in China have not been improved for local climatic conditions.

In addition, auto parts companies do not pay enough attention to the intellectual property issues involved in exports. Recently, the number of lawsuits filed by Chinese auto parts companies and foreign companies in intellectual property rights is increasing. More and more auto parts exports from China have encountered anti-dumping, and the difficulty of export has increased.

"China Automotive News": What are the differences between the quality of auto parts in China and foreign advanced products?

Lu Qikai: The main issue is reliability, including corrosion aging of parts and components.

Yang Chunrong: There are many problems in the quality of auto parts in China, and the key is that there is a gap in the technical quality assurance system. Multinational automobile companies have a set of standards for complete vehicles, parts and materials, and have detailed specifications on the technical specifications, quality requirements, and test methods of related products. For example, the performance requirements of a multinational company for coating automotive plastic parts involve as many as tens of items, including color, gloss, vividness, odor, hardness, adhesion, abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, and weather resistance. Aging and so on. In the domestic auto parts industry, some projects do not have industry inspection standards, and companies do not have a verification system, resulting in difficult product quality control and technology upgrades. The backwardness of auto parts testing standards, methods and technologies has restricted the development of domestic parts and components manufacturing.

China Automotive News: Is China's auto parts aging problem more serious?

Yang Chunrong: Aging is an inevitable problem with non-metallic materials. Many parts of automobiles are made of non-metallic materials, such as paint coatings on the exterior surfaces of automobiles, plastic bumpers, instrument panels, and most automotive interior parts. These non-metal parts may discolor or lose during use. Light, pulverization, cracking, shedding, embrittlement, loss of elasticity, loss of strength and other aging phenomena, seriously affect the function of components. Therefore, the aging performance index of auto parts has always been one of the quality items that auto companies strictly control. As parts that are prone to aging are mostly automotive interior and exterior trim parts, consumers can directly feel that performance aging affects the overall evaluation and brand trust of foreign consumers on China's auto parts and components, which in turn affects the export of products.

China Automotive News: How can auto parts companies solve the aging problem?

Yang Chunrong: The aging of non-metallic auto parts is an inherent phenomenon and cannot be completely eliminated. Therefore, to solve the aging problem is to slow the aging rate. In this regard, auto OEMs, parts suppliers and material suppliers must work together to find a solution. The work of material suppliers is very important. Measures should be taken from materials selection, material formulation and manufacturing processes to slow down the aging process. Auto parts enterprises shall establish an ageing inspection standard from the quality control system, strengthen cooperation with domestic professional technical agencies, conduct regular inspections, and improve the anti-aging performance of the product.

"China Automotive News": Is China's auto parts exports subject to testing by foreign inspection agencies?

Lu Qikai: Different countries have different requirements. For example, China is required to inspect safety items, and the European Union requires automotive electronics to be inspected. Currently, the testing of some components can also be carried out in China. For example, we have already cooperated with testing organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom and can issue test reports with the same effect.

China Automotive News: As a testing agency, what can Weikai help with the aging of auto parts?

Yang Chunrong: Since its establishment, Guangzhou Weikai Inspection and Technology Research Institute has been engaged in the research of environmental adaptability technologies including climate aging of materials. It has a history of more than 50 years and has provided weathering test services for automobile companies for more than 10 years. We have two test sites for natural environment exposure in Qionghai, Hainan, and Guangzhou, and several test sites in typical climatic regions throughout the country. In addition, we are the largest climate weathering service provider in the world—Atlas of the United States. One of the climate service group's experimental sites allows us to conduct natural environmental exposure tests in various climate regions around the world.