Young Taiwanese Designer Sees His Vision Realized on High-End Chinese EV
By Reuters | 16 May, 2025

China's EV industry is creating a large steam of new models and seeks out young people like Chen Ping-chun from Taiwan with the skills to make useful contributions to the finished products.

Taiwan youth Chen Ping-chun designs first car in his life in Guangzhou

VIDEO SHOWS: TAIWAN YOUTH CHEN PING-CHUN, AN EXTERIOR DESIGNER OF GAC, BEING INTERVIEWED

SHOWS: GUANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA (RECENT) (CNS - NO ACCESS CHINESE MAINLAND MEDIA)　

1.　AERIAL VIEW OF GAC GROUP IN GUANGZHOU, GUANGDONG PROVINCE

2.　(SOUNDBITE) CHEN PING-CHUN, EXTERIOR DESIGNER AT GAC GROUP, SAYING:

"I'm Chen Ping-chun from Taiwan. I work as an exterior designer at R&D Center under GAC Group, and I specialize in vehicle exterior design.

I've been fond of　cars since I was a kid. I could spend an entire afternoon just playing with a model car. I went to　university in Taiwan.　After graduation,　I had the chance to get involved with local automotive manufacturers. That experience really sparked my passion for car design.

While studying abroad in Italy, I started noticing a wave of Chinese car companies rising rapidly. Around 2018 and 2019, a lot of companies went to Europe for exchanges and talent recruitment. New energy vehicle has become one of 'new three items' of China's key exports, and the focus has been shifting toward developing independent brands. The biggest challenge is the shortage of talent, and there are more chances for young designers like me to chase dreams."

++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++

3.　(VARIOUS) CHEN PING-CHUN AT WORK

4.　(VARIOUS) THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING NEW ENERGY VEHICLES

5.　(SOUNDBITE) CHEN PING-CHUN, EXTERIOR DESIGNER AT GAC GROUP, SAYING:

"On my first day at work, I took a photo of my employee badge and shared　it to my family and friends. I felt pretty proud of　it.　In Guangzhou, seven out of ten cars on the road are made by GAC. When my neighbors find out I am　working as a designer at GAC, they begin to set me up with someone."

6.　CONCEPT AND MODELING CENTER　AT GAC GROUP

7.　(ON-SITE SOUND)

Chen Ping-chun: "This is the taillight prototype we just got."

Colleague: "I think adding some texture or tweaking the material can make it more playful. What do you think?"

Chen Ping-chun: "I agree. We can introduce more variations in the materials - maybe add some textures to the base of the light to break up the light reflections. Add some hidden surprises."

8.　(SOUNDBITE) CHEN PING-CHUN, EXTERIOR DESIGNER AT GAC GROUP, SAYING:

"The first project I worked on after joining the company was the Hyper HT. It's the second model under the Hyper high-end new energy brand. To my great surprise, as a young designer who just started working, I got　to work on a project like that.　I tried　my best to do every detail well. I barely slept during that period, regularly working overtime　until　midnight.

A brand-new model needs a design that's bold and instantly recognizable. Whether it's day or night, the one thing people will notice first from a distance is the lights.　At that time　we came　up with hundreds of sets　of plans.　I thought, if this car　was　going to make an impression, the lights　had　to shine, like gemstones. That　was　how the gemstone-inspired concept for the light design came about.

One day　on my way to work, the prototype was right in front of me on the road. The taillights of the car were made by me.　It was hard to express　my　excitement　seeing it running on the road. It didn't feel real. I couldn't believe I actually made that."

9.　MODELING STUDIO AT GAC GROUP

10.　(ON-SITE SOUND)

Chen Ping-chun:　"I think　that when this chine line transitions to the side of the car, it's a bit too stiff. By the time it reaches the A-pillar, it should gradually fade out and blend into the entire curved surface of the vehicle body."

11.　(SOUNDBITE) CHEN PING-CHUN, EXTERIOR DESIGNER AT GAC GROUP, SAYING:

"In the whole automotive industry chain, I think designers are kind of like 'magicians.'　We turn something attractive　on paper into something that actually hits the road.

Taking a concept from 2D to 3D means diving into data modeling and clay sculpting. During the prototype process, we constantly make adjustments, including tweaking colors, just trying to recreate the original sketch's vibe. It's not just about preserving creativity; it also has to meet all kinds of technical and regulatory standards.

What I find most captivating about car design is that it's not purely rational. It's actually quite emotional. The designer's state of mind is really what breathes life into the final product. And over these past three years, what I've been doing every single day is trying to get myself into that creative space. Maybe that means clapping my hands, shouting a little, and then I can fully dive into the work.

I've really grown over the last three years. I started off as a junior designer on a project. Now I'm leading one. The car I worked on ended up being China's first independently developed new energy vehicle with gull-wing doors. After it launched, I kept an eye on reviews. Some people　said it looked really modern. They also mentioned how elegant the body lines were　and　how soft the lighting felt across the curves. Hearing that made me feel incredibly proud."

12.　(VARIOUS) A CAT BEING RAISED BY　CHEN PING-CHUN　

13.　(SOUNDBITE) CHEN PING-CHUN, EXTERIOR DESIGNER AT GAC GROUP, SAYING:

"My hobbies are sports,　fitness　and playing basketball. I'm also really into cars, so sometimes I'll hit the go-kart track for fun. Being a designer means constantly outputting creative ideas, so it's important to recharge, whether that's by seeking out inspiration or absorbing energy from the outside world.　Music can also be regarded as a source of my inspiration in some respects. I actually have a lot of playlists. If I need to be very passionate, I might listen to rock. Whenever I need to relax, I will listen to the blues and relatively relaxing music.

I grew up in Taipei. To me, Taipei is a city where tradition and modernity seamlessly coexist. Compared to Guangzhou, the biggest difference I've felt is the　competition. When I first came here, I was worried　because it was a totally unfamiliar place. I thought a lot at that time. After coming　here, I find most of my colleagues　really warm and welcoming. Some of them can　notice that I am　under a bit of pressure and ask, 'Do you　wanna play basketball after work?'　or 'Let's grab dinner or have barbecue.'"

14.　CHEN PING-CHUN　AND HIS COLLEAGUES EATING AT A RESTAURANT

15.　(ON-SITE SOUND)

Colleague: You're still single?

Chen Ping-chun: Yes.

Colleague: Why aren't you seeing anyone?

Chen Ping-chun:　I'm trying to　find a girlfriend. I just haven't met the right one.

16.　(SOUNDBITE) CHEN PING-CHUN, EXTERIOR DESIGNER AT GAC GROUP, SAYING:

"They make me feel like I had family around. I feel as if I'm kind of attached to Guangzhou. I've already integrated into this place."

17.　(SOUNDBITE) CHEN PING-CHUN, EXTERIOR DESIGNER AT GAC GROUP, SAYING:

"For any designer, what we look forward to the most is opportunity. To put it plainly, we just want to leave a mark on the world in our own way.

When I first arrived on the mainland and stepped out of the airport, the first thing I noticed was the sheer number of new energy vehicles on the road. After working here for a few years, I've seen how far China's come in NEVs and autonomous driving, which have already taken a leading position internationally. It feels like catching the wave of this transformative era.

I think cars are like clothes, which can reflect users' traits, personalities and other　aspects.

I hope to see more cars I make myself on the road in the future.　There's already one out there, but it's not enough. I want more people to see and recognize my design.　We only get one shot at life, and I don't want to live in vain. I think at least I should keep something　of my own reflection."

STORY: The market size of new energy vehicles in China is expanding, and automakers are constantly carrying out innovative reforms.

In the first four months of 2025,　China's automobile production and sales both surpassed 10 million units　for the first time, according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).　

A　report from the Passenger Car Market Joint Branch of the China Automobile Dealers Association pointed out that in April, China's　export volume of new energy passenger vehicles reached 189,000 units, increasing by 44.2　percent　year-on-year and 31.6　percent　month-on-month, accounting for 44.6　percent　of the total passenger vehicle exports, up by 14 percentage points compared with the same period last year.

Under this trend, Chinese automakers,　such as GAC　Group,　have increased their investment in research and development, especially by constantly innovating in the field of design to meet the needs of young consumers.

Chen Ping-chun, an　exterior designer of GAC, introduced that in the current electric vehicle industry chain, automotive designers play the role of "magicians," aiming to turn an attractive pattern into a　product. Besides retaining creativity, it　also needs　to comply with the norms of the automotive industry.

Chen Ping-chun　introduced that the vehicle appearance he made at that time was the first new energy vehicle with gull-wing doors among the self-owned brands of Chinese automakers. Due to its fashionable body lines, it received a lot of praise.

Chen Ping-chun　was born in Taiwan and later went to work in Guangdong　Province. He said that while living on the Chinese mainland, he found that the most common vehicles he saw on the roads were new energy vehicles. In terms of autonomous driving, some Chinese automakers represented by GAC have already taken the leading position internationally, said Chen.

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