SAIC Maxus, the commercial-vehicle arm of Chinese automaker SAIC Motor, hosted a smart chassis innovation expo on September 20, bringing together 17 suppliers and industry experts to accelerate the development and mass production of intelligent chassis systems for commercial vehicles, according to Chinese outlet Gasgoo.
The event, branded "Smart Chassis, Global Focus," combined technical presentations, on-site displays and closed-door meetings. It focused on suspension assemblies, braking systems and intelligent chassis technology, aiming to bridge the gap between automakers and software and hardware suppliers. The expo was organized by Gasgoo, an automotive industry information platform, and held at SAIC Maxus facilities.
At the opening, SAIC Maxus executives including Jiang Jinjing, director of engineering support, and Song Yanping, director of the chassis department, toured the exhibits alongside attendees. Li Jiangang, deputy general manager of SAIC Group's quality and technology division, said the industry is at a critical stage of intelligent transformation, with the intelligent chassis becoming a key part of a vehicle's core competitiveness. He emphasized that SAIC Maxus is open to partnerships with suppliers of any size, as long as their technology is solid and reliable.
Full-stack chassis strategy
Song Yanping said SAIC Maxus covers a full range of commercial vehicles, including light buses, pickups, MPVs, SUVs, RVs and light trucks, and exports to more than 100 countries and regions. He noted that the company has completed a full-stack layout for intelligent chassis technology, with 18 controllers already in mass production.
Song highlighted that SAIC Maxus achieved the industry's first mass production of steer-by-wire technology in unmanned logistics vehicles. The company's All-Terrain System 3.0 offers more than 100 user experiences, he said. He added that the company plans to move from hardware-defined to software-defined chassis, using both materials and architecture to drive lightweighting.
Technical presentations covered topics including global chassis solutions, electric corner module technology, standards for braking and steering, and the industrialization of EMB (electromechanical brake) systems. A professor from Tongji University discussed advances in electric corner modules, while Xu Lin, an expert from Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Certification & Tech Innovation Center, detailed changes in braking and steering standards.
Zhu Tailan, sales director at coordinate system supplier, shared progress on EMB industrialization, calling it a core technology for wire-controlled chassis. Wang Jun, chairman of Zhongda Huanxin, presented on domestic magnetorheological fluid materials for suspension systems, aiming to improve both comfort and handling.
The 17 exhibiting suppliers included Shanghai Ruiping Technology, Dätwyler Sealing Technologies (Anhui), Dongguan Sisu Technology and Shanghai Tongxing Intelligent Technology, showcasing products in suspension assemblies, axle components, braking chassis, intelligent chassis and testing equipment.
Supplier outreach continues
In the afternoon, closed-door sessions allowed SAIC Maxus chassis executives and senior technical experts to hold one-on-one meetings with select suppliers, seeking technical solutions and potential project partnerships. The company said it established initial contacts with several suppliers holding core technologies, providing more options for future technology selection and supply chain development.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Gasgoo's Tech Day events. The organizer said it plans to hold more vertical technology exchange activities to connect automakers and suppliers, supporting the industry's shift toward intelligent and new-energy vehicles. Upcoming events include sessions with SAIC Passenger Vehicle and IM Motors, as well as Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, focusing on chassis lightweighting and intelligent projects.
