Lightweight + High-Performance Magnesium Alloys Lead New Tracks in the Automotive and Robotics Industries [SMM Research]

Against the backdrop of global green development and industrial upgrading, the automotive industry is pursuing lightweighting to reduce energy consumption and extend range, while the robotics industry is in urgent need of high-performance materials to achieve flexibility and large-scale production. With its advantages of low density, high strength, and excellent shock absorption, magnesium alloy has become the core material for both industries to break through development bottlenecks. From automotive components to key robotic parts, magnesium alloy is gradually replacing traditional materials, driving the transformation of industries from "heavy manufacturing" to "precision intelligent manufacturing". The recent strategic cooperation and product launches of multiple enterprises further highlight the core value of magnesium alloy in industrial transformation.​

Lizhong Group & Weijing Intelligence: Magnesium Alloy Empowers Humanoid Robot Upgrading​

On October 9, 2025, Lizhong Group and Weijing Intelligence signed the "Robot Strategic Cooperation Agreement", with magnesium alloy serving as the core material link for their cooperation. Relying on its R&D capabilities in high-end magnesium alloy materials and precision manufacturing expertise, Lizhong Group provides high-performance magnesium alloy materials and lightweight components for Weijing Intelligence's humanoid robots. This significantly reduces the weight of the robot body, enhances movement flexibility and battery life, and helps Weijing Intelligence break through cost bottlenecks in manufacturing and achieve large-scale production. Meanwhile, Lizhong Group also offers assembly supporting services for the robots, ensuring the assembly accuracy of the robots through the precise production of magnesium alloy components. In return, Weijing Intelligence's intelligent vision technology helps Lizhong Group optimize the magnesium alloy production process, forming a closed loop of "material R&D - product application - technology iteration" and promoting the dual upgrading of humanoid robots towards "lightweight + intelligence".​

Yongmaotai & Leading Humanoid Robot Enterprise: Exploring Standards for Magnesium Alloy Components​

On October 17, 2025, Yongmaotai (605208) reached a strategic cooperation with a leading domestic humanoid robot enterprise, focusing on in-depth cooperation in the field of actuators and joint components for embodied intelligent robots, with magnesium alloy as the core direction of their joint R&D. As a leader in automotive cast recycled aluminum alloy and components, Yongmaotai extends its experience in magnesium alloy material forming and precision processing to the robotics field. It plans to launch cost-effective magnesium alloy-based actuators and joint components with its partner. These components need to withstand high-frequency movements and external impacts, and the high strength and shock absorption of magnesium alloy can significantly improve their service life and stability. The two parties also plan to jointly formulate industry standards for magnesium alloy robot components to promote universal and standardized applications, and are preparing to establish an Embodied Intelligent New Materials Research Institute to further explore the performance optimization of magnesium alloy in the robotics field. However, the announcement also reminds that the cooperation is still in the framework stage, and there are uncertainties regarding the mass production of magnesium alloy components and their contribution to performance.​

Guangxi Automobile Group: Magnesium Alloy Business Builds a New Ecosystem for Automotive Lightweighting​

On October 22, 2025, Guangxi Automobile Group launched its lightweight magnesium alloy business at Chongqing Zhuotong, marking that magnesium alloy has officially become the core support for its "Lingshi Project" strategy. As early as December 2024, the group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Chongqing University to conduct in-depth research on magnesium alloy application technology. In May 2025, through Wuling Industry, it completed the semi-solid die-casting trial production of magnesium alloy instrument panel crossbeam brackets (CCB), achieving integrated innovation of "material - structure - mold". After adopting magnesium alloy, the weight of this component is reduced by more than 40% compared with traditional steel parts, while its strength meets automotive safety standards. Chongqing Zhuotong, the core implementation unit, has built a full-process manufacturing system covering magnesium alloy semi-solid die-casting, precision processing, and dust-free spraying. It will subsequently build a magnesium alloy production line with an annual capacity of over 1.5 million pieces, which is expected to generate an additional annual revenue of over 100 million yuan after putting into operation. In the future, the group will further integrate the combined application of magnesium alloy with steel-aluminum-plastic and energy-absorbing materials to create diversified lightweight solutions and promote the transformation of the automotive industry towards green and safe development.​

JMC New Energy Yichi 01: Magnesium Alloy Wheels Lead the New Trend of Automotive Materials​

The recently launched Yichi 01 (SC01) pure electric sports car by JMC New Energy has become an industry focus as the "first domestic model with standard magnesium alloy wheels across the entire series". Priced at 229,800 yuan, this model upgrades the application of magnesium alloy from "components" to "core configuration". The standard 18-inch magnesium alloy wheels of the car are manufactured by Shanxi Yinguang Huasheng Magnesium Industry Co., Ltd., using forging + CNC cutting technology, with a single weight of only 5.9kg, which is about 25% lighter than aluminum alloy wheels of the same size. This significantly reduces unsprung mass and improves vehicle handling and battery life. In addition, the new car also offers a variety of personalized magnesium alloy wheel options, and the first batch of pre-order customers can enjoy free customization rights for a limited time. In terms of performance, the magnesium alloy wheels, together with the tube-frame chassis and carbon fiber seats, result in a curb weight of only 1,365kg. Combined with the dual-motor powertrain, it achieves an acceleration of 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds and a CLTC range of 520km, fully demonstrating the key role of magnesium alloy in improving the overall performance of automobiles and injecting strong momentum into the automotive magnesium alloy market.​

Conclusion: Future Outlook of Magnesium Alloy Reshaping the Industrial Pattern​

From lightweight components in robots to core configurations in automobiles, magnesium alloy has become a key material link connecting the automotive and robotics industries. Lizhong Group and Yongmaotai are promoting technological breakthroughs of magnesium alloy in the robotics field, while Guangxi Automobile Group and JMC New Energy are realizing the large-scale application of magnesium alloy in the automotive industry. These cases not only demonstrate the diversified application scenarios of magnesium alloy but also indicate that it will drive industries into a new stage of "material-driven innovation". In the future, with the optimization of magnesium alloy production processes, the reduction of costs, and the improvement of industry standards, its application in automotive lightweighting and robot intelligence will be further deepened, making it one of the core drivers of global industrial upgrading.​