LDV praised by World Economic Forum

Chinese vehicle maker LDV has been recognised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a global leader in innovation.

LDV is known locally for its popular commercial vehicles, people movers and SUVs as well as its EV80 electric van.

It is one of just 14 companies on the WEF’s “Lighthouse” list which highlights firms paving the way and adapting to technology of the future in what it refers to as the “fourth industrial revolution”.

LDV is one of two automotive manufacturers on the list alongside BMW Group. All members of the network agree to share knowledge with other manufacturers.

LDV is part of SAIC, the world’s 36th largest company on the Fortune 500 list.

The LDV factory at Nanjing was identified from 1000 production sites independently assessed from around the world.

The judging panel visited the factory and were impressed with its large scale adoption of cutting-edge technologies.

“A challenging market environment drove this site to implement a new model for mass customization. Digitalising the value chain end-to-end, from customers to suppliers, through an integrated digital thread has resulted in improved sales and reduced costs,” the jury says.

A WEF white paper, titled , Fourth Industrial Revolution: Beacons of Technology and Innovation in Manufacturing

, highlights the findings of the Lighthouse programme.

The WEF is known by the name of its venue, Davos, where it holds its winter meetings, and is a gathering of the world’s most influential experts and political leaders to discuss the most important global issues facing the planet.