Hydraulic Piston Motor ,Piston Motor,Radial Piston Motor,Axial Piston Motor Ningbo Hengnuo Hydraulic Drive Co.,Ltd , https://www.hnhydraulic.com
The annual production capacity of the domestic automobile stamping die industry is estimated to be around 8 to 10 billion yuan, yet the demand for molds in China’s automotive market has surpassed 20 billion yuan. As China’s automotive sector continues to grow rapidly, it places increasingly higher demands on the mold industry, simultaneously driving its development forward.
Li Jianhua, vice chairman of the China Mould and Die Association and general manager of Dongfeng Automobile Mold Co., Ltd., highlighted that China’s mold industry has entered a phase of rapid growth. Over the past decade, the sector has maintained an average annual growth rate of 15%. The immense potential of the Chinese auto market has created more opportunities for the development of automotive molds. In 2005, a national policy promoting vehicle localization and restricting imports further boosted the chances for mold manufacturers to produce exterior car components. Li emphasized that in this competitive environment, success depends on a company’s technological strength, product quality, and overall competitiveness.
In recent years, Dongfeng Auto Mould Co., Ltd. has focused on enhancing technology, quality, cost control, and service. The company has invested heavily in R&D, continuously improving its processes and adopting new technologies to boost efficiency and precision. Advanced design software and NC programming have been introduced, enabling the company to achieve full 3D design, NC programming, and CNC machining.
One notable project was the “Tianhao†sedan, the first joint venture project between Dongfeng and Nissan. During the project, the company actively incorporated Nissan’s expertise in mold design and manufacturing. It introduced innovative processes such as chrome plating and floating pressure materials, while using 3D modeling throughout the entire process. New inspection tools were developed with features like lap joint detection and assembly matching. By combining Nissan’s advanced techniques with its own strengths in design, numerical control, and online inspection, the company significantly reduced tooling costs. This project marked the first time high-end passenger car exterior parts were designed and manufactured domestically, breaking the previous reliance on imported molds and elevating the company’s reputation.
Dongfeng Auto Mould Co., Ltd. also invested in five high-speed milling machines from abroad, which doubled processing efficiency and improved product quality. Recently, the company received an order for high-tech molds to be exported to the United States.
Looking ahead, Li Jianhua noted that low-technology molds are oversupplied, leaving limited profit margins, while high-end molds—such as precision stamping dies and car cover molds—still have significant growth potential. To stay competitive, the company should focus on product structure optimization, enhance manufacturing capabilities, and target the high-end mold market.
From an industry perspective, specialization and collaboration among mold companies are becoming essential. Li believes that international cooperation will be key for Chinese auto mold firms to evolve from mere manufacturers into capital-driven enterprises.