The Chinese robotics market has made tremendous progress over the past decade, emerging as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets for robots.
In 2022, the sales of industrial robots in China surpassed 300,000 units, with a year-on-year growth of over 15%, constituting more than half of the global total. Concurrently, applications such as service robots and specialized robots are also experiencing vigorous development. The rapid rise of the Chinese robotics industry is the result of various factors working together, and it is anticipated that China will continue to maintain a leading position in the global robotics market in the foreseeable future.
One of the key driving forces behind the growth of the Chinese market is robust policy support, unlocking substantial market potential. Over the years, the Chinese government has placed high importance on the development of robotics technology, considering it a crucial core technology for achieving the transformation and upgrade of the manufacturing industry. Policy documents such as "Made in China 2025" and the "Development Plan for the Robotics Industry (2016-2020)" have provided policy guidance and market expectations for the development of the robotics industry. During the period from 2016 to 2020, the scale of the Chinese industrial robotics industry grew by more than four times, with a compound annual growth rate exceeding 31%, far surpassing the global average. The continuous release of policy dividends is expected to further enhance China's share in the global robotics market.
Another major driving force is the sustained demand from downstream industries, and the improvement in industrial automation is a fundamental feature of China's manufacturing transformation and upgrade. From smartphones to new energy vehicles, China has become the most competitive manufacturing base in the world, driving the rapid growth of suppliers in various fields. The electronics and electrical industry has consistently been the largest downstream demand for robotics in China, and in recent years, demand from the automotive and metal processing industries has also increased rapidly. With China's new energy vehicle production and sales ranking first globally for six consecutive years, domestic brands have risen rapidly, becoming a significant force leading the global automotive industry transformation. It is anticipated that by 2025, the penetration rate of industrial robots in the automotive industry in China will surpass one million units, representing a massive market space. Additionally, in 2023, the domestic substitution rate for industrial robots is expected to reach 37%, with domestic manufacturers successfully withstanding the pressure. Some listed companies have achieved year-on-year revenue and net profit growth, far exceeding the overall market growth rate. In recent years, domestic manufacturers have increasingly penetrated areas previously reserved for foreign robot manufacturers. For example, in 2022, leading domestic multi-axis industrial robot manufacturer Easton sold over 17,000 robots in China, surpassing ABB and Yaskawa. In the SCARA domain, Huichuan has taken market share from Epson and Yamaha.
A crucial factor in China's rise is the delayed delivery by international market leaders. In response to this, Chinese manufacturers have rapidly adapted to new market trends and developed scalable solutions for growth areas, achieving significant breakthroughs.
The maturity of the domestic supply chain and continuous optimization of the structure are also contributing to the development of the Chinese robotics industry. Over the years, international renowned robot manufacturers such as ABB, Fanuc, and KUKA have dominated the Chinese robot market. However, in recent years, local companies have rapidly narrowed the gap with international manufacturers through independent innovation and mergers and acquisitions. Sales and market share of local robot companies such as Easton and Huichuan continue to rise. Local companies have clear advantages in core technology, product quality, and delivery speed, enabling them to respond quickly to changes in the Chinese market demand. Meanwhile, local key component suppliers have also experienced rapid development, effectively shortening the design and production cycle of robot products and reducing costs. The Chinese robotics industry is moving towards the development of the entire industry chain, further strengthening China's competitiveness in the robotics industry.