To Jamie Sanders, Rio Tinto's head of Global Procurement, the Chinese EV isn't just a car; it is a symbol of a broader, more profound transformation.

He watched as the industry shed its reputation as a "fast-follower", emerging with increasingly sophisticated designs and advanced digital features that challenged the world's most established automakers.

"If I were visiting China today, my must-buy would be an electric vehicle," said Sanders.

"Chinese EVs stand out for their increasingly sophisticated design, advanced digital features and highly competitive pricing," he said.

This, according to Sanders, wasn't a fluke of manufacturing, but the result of an unprecedented speed of development, fueled by a complete and deeply integrated supply chain.

From lithium mines to battery gigafactories and software labs, the entire ecosystem moved as one.

"What makes this possible is the speed at which the industry has developed, supported by a complete and deeply integrated supply chain," he added.

"More broadly, China's consumer scene reflects a shift to innovation-led competitiveness, which is both impressive to watch and highly relevant to global industries."