With the rapid development of the new energy industry, the export of China's electrical machinery industry is expected to usher in new growth opportunities.

Although at this stage, China's motor product exports are still dominated by small and medium-sized motors, and the added value of products is low, "In 2020, the export proportion of new energy supporting motors will increase. For example, the export value of wind turbines will reach 1.11 billion US dollars. A year-on-year increase of 16.9%. This type of product has a large profit margin, and its export will usher in greater development opportunities in the future." Zhang Sen, Secretary-General of the Electrical Products Branch of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, said.　　

According to customs statistics, in 2020, China's electrical machinery exports were US$15.78 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1.3%. Among them, the export of large motors was US$590 million, a year-on-year increase of 32.2%. Exports of small and medium-sized motors were US$7.88 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 1.8%. Exports of micromotors were US$2.78 billion.

In 2020, exports of Chinese electrical products to countries along the “Belt and Road” such as Vietnam, Poland and Saudi Arabia will be less affected by the epidemic, and exports will achieve double-digit growth year-on-year. The top exporters are the United States, Japan, Germany and Vietnam. Among them, exports to the United States were US$2.45 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.8%, and exports to Japan were US$760 million, a year-on-year decrease of 19.9%.

Import side

In 2020, China's motor imports will be US$4.45 billion, a year-on-year increase of 2.2%. Among them, imports of large motors were US$110 million, a year-on-year increase of 24.9%. Imports of small and medium-sized motors were US$2.29 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.9%. Imports of micromotors were US$1.41 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 2.0%.

China's motor product imports are mainly DC motors and DC generators (with power less than or equal to 750W). The import value is US$960 million, accounting for more than 20%, an increase of 7.4% year-on-year. The main importing countries of motor products are Japan, Germany, South Korea and Vietnam, which account for more than half of China's total motor product imports. Among them, China imported US$990 million in motor products from Japan, a year-on-year increase of 17.4%. Imported motor products from Germany US$860 million, a year-on-year increase of 8.5%. Imported motor products from South Korea US$260 million, a year-on-year decrease of 9.5%. Imported motor products from Vietnam US$250 million. , An increase of 2.3% year-on-year.

Export

Although China's motor imports and exports have achieved a small increase in 2020, China's motor product exports still face many challenges. At present, trade and technical barriers have become the main factors affecting China's motor exports. In the first half of 2020, the United States and India plan to conduct safety reviews on power equipment imported from China. Companies generally report that the relevant measures have had an impact on existing orders, signed projects and potential cooperation, orders have been cancelled or negotiations blocked, and companies have not optimistic expectations for medium- and long-term exports and project cooperation.

The export structure of China's motor products is dominated by low-level products with low added value. “China’s huge market demand attracts foreign manufacturers, and there is a certain gap between China’s motor production technology and foreign countries.” Zhang Sen said that in recent years, Chinese motor companies have been striving to develop into the high-end market. The inherent impressions of low motor prices and poor stability are superimposed on the long-term occupation of high-end markets by first-line brands such as Europe, America and Japan, and the road to enterprise transformation is very difficult.

Zhang Sen predicts that China's motor product exports may increase slightly in the first half of 2021. "In recent years, the new energy automobile industry has developed vigorously, and the application technology of motor products, especially permanent magnet synchronous motors, in the field of new energy vehicles has become more mature and extensive." Zhang Sen said that rare earth permanent magnet materials are the first choice for driving motors, which can be greatly improved. Reduce the weight of the motor, reduce the size of the motor, and improve work efficiency. The establishment of an upstream and downstream cooperation mechanism is conducive to breaking through the development of new energy vehicles, drive motors, and rare earth permanent magnet materials and other industries, and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results across the entire industry chain.