The "six-constant climate station" integrating air conditioning and fresh air functions, the "BetteRRRy" cloud analysis service for battery asset management and life extension, and the combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) project using 5kW pure hydrogen fuel cells... Panasonic, a "perfect attendance exhibitor" at the CIIE, debuts quite a few futuristic technologies every year.

Panasonic's new products and technologies enjoy great opportunities for exposure at the CIIE. Tetsuro Homma, global vice-president of Panasonic Holdings Corporation and group regional head for China & Northeast Asia, said that Panasonic defines the CIIE as a "global strategic exhibition", where it has showcased many innovative products and technological achievements every year and released the Group's strategy in China.

Showcase latest products and accelerate the delivery of benefits

Starting from the 2nd CIIE in 2019, attending the CIIE has become a fixed schedule that Homma has never missed. Each time, he came to the Panasonic booth, interacted with the audience on-site, and demonstrated its products and services.

"For foreign businesses, the CIIE acts as an excellent stage for us to showcase latest products and solutions to China," said Homma. "We can accelerate the delivery of benefits and get timely market feedback by presenting the latest high-tech products and concepts to Chinese consumers through the Expo."

The Expo gives more than just an opportunity for Panasonic's business exposure. Over the past 7 years, Panasonic has been expanding its circle of friends. It has inked a number of memorandums of cooperation with many partners during the CIIE, including up to 15 cooperation agreements signed at the 6th CIIE alone.

Panasonic's booth at previous CIIE. [Photo/Panasonic]

Panasonic, a time-honored Japanese company, is known far and wide in the Chinese market. Since its entry into the Chinese market in 1978, Panasonic has extended its business from the cathode ray tube (CRT) and home appliances to the current three key businesses, namely healthy and intelligent living space, new energy auto parts, and intelligent manufacturing, all of which are closely associated with China's economy and society.

In 2019, Panasonic Group established China and Northeast Asia Company, a regional company that combines business and regional omnibus functions. That year, Panasonic advanced for the first time at the CIIE the strategy of building the "No. 1 Healthy Eldercare" brand business, and promoted the establishment of the first eldercare community in China, Yada Panasonic Community.

At that time, Panasonic's hope to promote healthy eldercare in China was just a concept. As the CIIE progresses, Panasonic's age-appropriate products and solutions rooted in its 20 plus years' eldercare expertise in Japan have been well received by Chinese government, enterprises and consumers. The Yada Panasonic Community was officially completed in 2022. Today, there are 35 such home appliance and housing integration projects in China.

Gain insight into market changes and keep abreast of the pace of China

Homma said that China is a manufacturing powerhouse, as well as a major country in consumption, engineering and innovation. With a huge domestic market demand and a complete industrial and supply chain, China is always ready to accept new technologies and shows great potential for economic development, which provides broad opportunities for the development of foreign-funded enterprises in China. For Panasonic, China is an important market for it to boost its performance across the board.

In his view, the Chinese market is undoubtedly distinctive in the world. "For foreign businesses, the Chinese market is appealing for both its huge size and the consumers' readiness to embrace new concepts and technologies."

For foreign-funded companies like Panasonic, the CIIE is an excellent platform to keep abreast of the latest developments and changes in the Chinese market. "Through participating in the CIIE, we have enhanced our ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and market changes, and keep up with the pace of the Chinese market and China's development," said Homma.

From the inaugural CIIE's emphasis on the theme of "Century- old Enterprise's Full Range of Home Appliances" to subsequent focuses on "Health, Elderly Care", "Cleanliness", and "Life and Environment", and culminating in the theme of "Smart Life, Smart Society" at the 7th CIIE, it's evident that Panasonic's exhibition themes have consistently mirrored the shifting market dynamics and consumer trends in China.

Panasonic's booth at previous CIIE. [Photo/Guo Zhihua]

Homma said that the CIIE brings together the products and technologies presented by outstanding enterprises from all over the world, and acts as an important platform and window for the world and China to learn about each other. "Through the CIIE, we feel that China is opening up wider to the world, and the Chinese market is playing an increasingly important role in the world."

Seeing is believing and embrace a better future with openness

Yuki Kusumi, CEO of Panasonic Group, visited the new product release platform of the CIIE for the first time at the 6th CIIE. "China speed is global speed, and China cost is global cost", he said and requested that Panasonic must advance its global business with "China speed" and "China cost".

"China is opening up wider to the world, giving a great fillip to Panasonic, a company that has been operating in China for more than 40 years." As Homma disclosed, executives of almost all of Panasonic's business units visited China in the past years to learn about market trends and seek cooperation opportunities. Panasonic as always showcased new products and unveiled new investment plans at the 7th CIIE to seek a better future with China's economy.

A new product showcased by Panasonic at previous CIIE. [Photo/Panasonic]

"Seeing is believing. I also hope that more foreign executives will come to China to see this ever-changing and innovating market and deepen their understanding of the Chinese market," said Homma.

Fan Yubin

(Translated by Ni Weisi)