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Amid the booming development of China's automotive industry, Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation has emerged as a shining star. From a startup team of just three individuals, it has grown into a listed company that holds a significant position in the automotive parts sector. Behind this remarkable achievement lies the exceptional leadership of two Wuhan University of Technology alumni from the class of 1990—Chen Hongling and Zhang Zuqiu. With their visionary insight, resilient entrepreneurial spirit, and profound humanistic dedication, they have written a legendary chapter in the independent innovation and international expansion of China's automotive parts industry.
Voyage of Entrepreneurship: Starting with Foreign Trade, Rooted in Manufacturing
In 1997, amid China's reform and opening-up, classmates Chen Hongling and Zhang Zuqiu founded Baolong Technology in Shanghai's Songjiang District, pursuing their entrepreneurial vision. Leveraging their academic background in Industrial Foreign Trade, they astutely identified international trade opportunities—harnessing the then-nascent internet platform to export domestic auto components to global markets. "We happened to be in a transformative era," Chen reflected, "one that granted our generation unprecedented opportunities." Their strategic foresight was validated by first-year revenue reaching 9 million RMB.
Zhang Zuqiu (left) and Chen Hongling (right) at the company's founding in 1997
Just as their trading business was flourishing, the two founders made a surprising pivot—they shifted towards manufacturing. Some questioned this decision, but Chen Hongling explained, "Relying solely on trade isn't enough. Without control over product development, manufacturing processes, and quality, how can we truly specialize and deepen our expertise in this industry?" This move reflected their determination to establish a firm foothold in the sector.
In 1998, Baolong chose tire valves—a seemingly small but highly demanded product—as their entry point into manufacturing. Zhang Zuqiu once calculated, "There are hundreds of millions of vehicles globally, each with four wheels, and each wheel requires a valve. To ensure driving safety, many countries mandate annual replacement of tire valves. Just imagine the sheer volume needed!" It was this precise understanding of market demand that propelled Baolong's rapid rise in the valve sector. By 2006, the company's annual production of tire valves ranked among the top three globally, and today, it has maintained the world's leading market share for many consecutive years.
From the very beginning, the founders set an ambitious goal: to rank among the top three globally in each product segment they ventured into. Today, apart from tire valves, products like wheel weights, exhaust tailpipes, and TPMS have all achieved this target, while several other product lines have also attained leading positions domestically.
Forward-Looking Strategy: Upholding Long-Termism to Overcome Technological Barriers
Baolong's success can be largely attributed to Chen Hongling and Zhang Zuqiu's accurate judgment of industry trends and their courage to make long-term investments. In 2002, when the United States legislated the mandatory installation of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), they quickly seized the opportunity and immediately formed an R&D team to dive into TPMS development. However, this innovation journey proved far more challenging than anticipated. From achieving technological breakthroughs to realizing profitability, Baolong traversed a path of nearly 20 years.
In the early stages of R&D, the team started from scratch and endured countless failures. Shi Weihua, Deputy General Manager of the TPMS Unit, recalled: "The most difficult period was around 2013-2014. We had already started supplying TPMS products to automakers like GM and Tesla, but we couldn't feel happy about it. Because after mass production began, new problems continuously emerged regarding product performance, quality, and stability." At the most critical juncture, issues erupted simultaneously with multiple customers, and the R&D and production teams were constantly "putting out one fire only for another to flare up," spending their days tirelessly addressing problems.
Even during the most challenging times, Chen Hongling and Zhang Zuqiu steadfastly supported the R&D team. Zhang Zuqiu stated: "TPMS represents the future direction of the industry. It is a product worth investing heavily in to incubate and build. Only through persistence and maintaining resolve can we achieve success." This philosophy of long-termism became the spiritual pillar that supported Baolong in overcoming technological hurdles.
"Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy." In 2019, Baolong's TPMS business ranked among the top three globally. By 2024, with annual production and sales of 64 million sensors, it advanced to become the world's second-largest. The nearly two decades of persistence finally yielded substantial returns. Reflecting on this journey, Zhang Zuqiu remarked with deep feeling: "In the development of some new products, we generally tend to layout early and then invest continuously. Therefore, when opportunities arise, we are positioned to seize them."
Baolong's listing ceremony on May 19, 2017. Chen Hongling (right), Zhang Zuqiu (left).
Diversified Expansion: Seizing Industry Transformation to Lead the Smart and Lightweight Trends
Amid the global automotive industry's shift towards the "New Four Modernizations," Chen Hongling and Zhang Zuqiu have spearheaded Baolong's strategic expansion into smart driving and lightweighting.
The field of intelligent suspension represents a highly complex integrated system long dominated by international giants. Baolong initiated preliminary R&D in this area as early as 2012, beginning with commercial vehicle air springs before venturing into passenger car intelligent suspension in 2016. Zhang Zuqiu offered clear-sighted analysis: "In recent years, domestic smart EV manufacturers have significantly increased installation rates to capture market share. Since intelligent suspension substantially enhances driving experience while becoming available in vehicles priced around 300,000 RMB, it has created a substantial market opportunity."
An Air Spring Production Line
In 2021, Baolong's self-developed passenger car air spring shock absorber strut assembly achieved mass production, securing project nominations from numerous automakers that same year. By 2024, revenue from the intelligent suspension business increased by 50.22% year-on-year, with air tanks ranking among the top globally. Baolong's intelligent suspension products gained project nominations from renowned European automakers in the very region where intelligent suspension originated, demonstrating its capability to compete with international giants. Notably, commissioned by the China Society of Automotive Engineers, Baolong co-led the drafting of industry standards for intelligent supply units in air suspension systems, signifying high industry recognition of its technological contributions and influence.
In automotive sensors, Baolong has developed over 40 products across six categories: speed, optical, pressure, current, position, and acceleration/yaw rate. Products like wheel speed sensors, rain/light sensors, and current sensors have achieved domestic leadership.
In autonomous driving, Baolong proactively laid out products as early as 2016, including millimeter-wave radar, ultrasonic radar, mono/stereo cameras, surround-view cameras, and in-cabin cameras, aiming to serve as the "eyes and ears" of smart cars. By 2024, surround-view camera shipments ranked among the top domestically. Baolong's stereo road preview system, demonstrating exceptional technical prowess, entered mass production in 2023 and won the 8th Lingxuan Award in the "Mass Production - Autonomous Driving" category. Building on this, Baolong launched the Tian Shen Zhi Yan triple-camera, supplied for 21 BYD models. This product integrates autonomous driving functions with stereo road preview and interacts with the intelligent suspension for a smoother ride, contributing to the success of BYD's autonomous driving launch event.
In automotive lightweighting, Baolong focuses on hydroformed lightweight body structural components. Through innovative designs and processing techniques, these parts achieve approximately 30% weight reduction, positioning this product line as a domestic leader. Among numerous body structural components, Baolong spent over 200 days starting in 2023 to successfully develop the world's first non-load-bearing frame with main components entirely made using hydroforming. This frame comprises 23 parts, all made from materials with tensile strength exceeding 610 MPa. Thanks to hydroforming, the overall weight is reduced by over 20% compared to traditional methods, while frame assembly strength and stiffness increase by over 30%, significantly enhancing vehicle performance under extreme conditions. The successful mass production and serial development technology will promote chassis performance upgrades for SUVs and off-road vehicles in the automotive industry, leading new directions in chassis technology.
Orchard Culture: Building a Spiritual Home with a People-Centric Approach
Behind Baolong's sustained innovation and development lies the strong support of its unique corporate culture—"Orchard Culture." Chen Hongling and Zhang Zuqiu summarize its essence as "dutiful stewardship, active cultivation, and grateful sharing," embodied in the core values of "responsibility, initiative, and sharing."
In the preface to the Corporate Culture Handbook, Chen Hongling wrote: "Baolong's Orchard Culture is refined through scientific principles and tempered in business practices. Its key lies in comprehensive perspective and systematic thinking, avoiding omissions and imbalances." This profound reflection on corporate culture stems from their understanding of a company's essence. Chen believes: "Employees spend their most vigorous years in the workplace; their search for life's meaning cannot ignore the company's purpose. Conversely, defining the company's purpose cannot ignore employees' well-being."
"Orchard Culture" is vividly practiced in Baolong's daily operations. During the headquarters relocation in 2011, the company learned that over ten pregnant and planning-to-conceive female employees were concerned about the new office environment. Specifically, a temporary office was set up at the old site with new internet, air conditioning, water dispensers, etc., where they worked until maternity leave ended before moving to the new headquarters. Such meticulous care makes employees feel at home.
Zhang Zuqiu's management style deeply reflects equality and respect. When asked, "You seem very approachable, unlike a typical 'boss'," he responded: "In our company, all colleagues share the concept of equality. Sometimes frontline operators contact me directly, and I always respond." This culture of equality and respect greatly enhances cohesion.
In promoting employee growth, Baolong advocates "lifelong learning." Chen and Zhang jointly issued a "Initiate Company-Wide Reading" proposal, stating: "Running a company isn't just about economic gains but also about cultivating talent for society!" Zhang himself exemplifies this. Wen Jianfeng, Vice President and CFO, shared: "Every business trip, he selects two books to bring. I've lost count of how many books CEO Zhang has read." Influenced by him, the Finance Center started a monthly book club in 2016, continuing to this day.
Rooted in China, Going Global: Building a Global Development Framework
Under Chen and Zhang's leadership, Baolong established an internationalization strategy early on. Zhang stated: "Global integration makes domestic and international markets inseparable—like two sides of a coin, equally important for Baolong." Guided by this, Baolong rapidly enhanced global competitiveness through cross-border M&A and overseas expansion.
In 2005, Baolong acquired American DILL, marking its first international step. In 2018, it formed a TPMS joint venture, Bofu Electronics, with Germany's HUF; the same year, it acquired German sensor company PEX. These strategic acquisitions helped Baolong gain advanced technology, brand channels, and further access international markets. In 2023, the first phase of Baolong Europe Manufacturing Center in Hungary opened; the second phase is underway. In 2025, a valve factory will be established in Thailand, and a TPMS assembly line prepared in the U.S. This global layout better balances domestic and international business, mitigates geopolitical risks, meets overseas automakers' urgent need for localized supply chains, and secures more new project nominations.
Today, Baolong operates in 7 countries with 9 business units, 11 production campuses, 21 factories, 14 R&D centers, over 20 sales branches, 8,000+ employees, and 2,000+ clients, covering nearly all automotive brands. In 2024, annual revenue was 700+ times the initial figure, ranking among Shanghai's top 50 manufacturers and China's top 100 auto components suppliers.
Alma Mater Bonds: Collaborating to Empower Talent Development
As distinguished alumni, Chen and Zhang remain grateful and actively promote university-enterprise cooperation. They frequently return to share entrepreneurial insights and industry perspectives. Chen emphasized: "A company's social responsibility and value lie not only in providing better products but also in shaping and cultivating talent needed by society."
Zhang Zuqiu has been appointed by the university as an External Career Mentor.
Guided by this philosophy, Baolong has established multi-level and wide-ranging collaborative partnerships with the university, contributing to the development of their alma mater. Since 2017, Baolong Technology has been donating 10 million RMB annually to the university, with a planned total donation of 20 million RMB. By 2024, 9 million RMB had already been contributed to establish the Baolong Technology Scholarship, aimed at advancing automotive discipline development. Additionally, the company has made multiple donations to the university's sports fund and football development fund. In terms of research collaboration, the two parties have jointly signed strategic university-enterprise cooperation agreements, project cooperation agreements, and new energy laboratory agreements, and have co-established the "Intelligent Line-Controlled Chassis Laboratory." These collaborations have not only promoted the development of the university's academic disciplines but have also supplied the company with a steady stream of outstanding talent.
Chen Hongling attended the university's 2023 commencement ceremony and delivered a speech as an alumni representative.
Looking back at Baolong Technology's development journey spanning over two decades, Chen Hongling and Zhang Zuqiu have demonstrated through their actions the true vision and responsibility of entrepreneurs. Zhang Zuqiu once summarized his personal journey with the words, "We have always been striving, we are always on the road," a phrase that perfectly captures the essence of Baolong Technology's developmental spirit. Facing the future, they will continue to lead the Baolong team in actively making strides amid the wave of automotive "New Four Modernizations," contributing even more to the development of China's automotive industry.
As outstanding entrepreneurial representatives nurtured by their alma mater, Chen Hongling and Zhang Zuqiu's endeavors fully embody the Wuhan University of Technology ethos of "Cultivating Virtue and Knowledge, Pursuing Excellence." They are not only exceptional leaders in the automotive components industry but also a vivid reflection of the university's educational achievements, inspiring countless students to advance determinedly on the path of technological innovation and industrial contribution to the nation.
