：《From Godfather to Racing Deity: Wei Jianjun, China’s Akio Toyod》
From halting sedan production to focus exclusively on SUVs, to today’s cautious stance on EVs while aggressively developing Hi4 plug-in hybrid technology, GWM (Great Wall Motor) has long been an outlier among Chinese automakers.
In recent years, Wei Jianjun has stepped out as the company’s most visible spokesperson, becoming one of the most outspoken and active top executives in the Chinese auto industry.
Whether sharply criticizing the “dark side” of China’s NEV industry, appearing in livestreams to test new GWM models, or suiting up as a race driver, Wei has earned the nickname “Godfather of China’s Auto Industry.” Even Xiaomi’s Lei Jun reached out for an alliance, and the two exchanged their latest models.
Looking across the global auto market, Wei Jianjun increasingly resembles Akio Toyoda. Both act as whistleblowers for the industry while pouring unrelenting enthusiasm into their brands’ products.
GWM’s contrarian path among China’s independents recalls Toyota’s own divergence from the global pack. Wei never claimed to follow Toyota, yet he is becoming China’s answer to Akio Toyoda.
