China Auto Thread

[Beijingwalker]

The Guardian: China exported more than 1 million cars in a single month for the first time​

Wonder how many cars China makes in a single month

 

[冖_冖]

Illinois students head to China after summer in battery manufacturing

A group of high school and college students from central Illinois will spend 10 days touring advanced battery manufacturing facilities, universities, and cultural landmarks across China—capping off a summer internship at Gotion Illinois' Manteno plant.

www.shawlocal.com

Illinois students head to China after summer in battery manufacturing​

July 17, 2026 at 2:00 pm CDT

A group of high school and college students from central Illinois will travel to China this week after spending the summer working in advanced battery manufacturing.

The 10-day trip, departing Chicago on Sunday, July 19, is the capstone of Gotion Illinois’ inaugural International Scholar Award Program. The students—from Herscher, Bradley-Bourbonnais, Clifton Central, Manteno, and Kankakee Bishop McNamara high schools, plus interns from UIUC, UIC, Rose-Hulman, Virginia Tech, Wheaton, and ITT—will visit manufacturing facilities, universities, and cultural landmarks across Shanghai, Nanjing, Hefei, and Beijing.

The internship introduced students to careers in advanced manufacturing: engineering, quality control, supply chain, operations, and research and development. Throughout the summer, they worked at Gotion Illinois’ Manteno plant, producing energy storage systems and electric vehicle batteries.

“This is a unique opportunity to see how our local community is connected to the larger world,” said International Scholar Emily Lyle.

The trip combines workforce development, STEM education, and cultural exchange. Participants will visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and technology-focused sites showcasing China’s advances in manufacturing and sustainable energy. For many students, it will be their first international trip.

“As a parent and a teacher, I see this as a way to showcase the value of STEM education and the ways students can connect what they learn in their classrooms to real-world opportunities,” said Tracy Lyle, a parent and educator on the delegation.

“The program reflects the company’s commitment to developing future leaders,” Vice President of Manufacturing at Gotion Illinois, Mark Kruesel, said in a news release. “We are proud to provide them with the opportunity to explore advanced battery manufacturing, connect with industry experts, and gain a broader perspective on the global technologies shaping their future.”

The company plans to expand the program next year, with tours and participation from Kankakee 111 and the Kankakee Area Career Center beginning in October during Manufacturing Month.