2025 Modification Regulations Take Effect, Ushering China’s Customization Industry Into a Golden Era — VELONSEN Leads the Charge Toward Full Compliance
In 2025, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers officially released the Guidelines for Automotive Modification Technology, clearly defining 16 categories of modification as legal. This marks a new phase of standardization and industrialization for the automotive customization industry. The new regulations not only give consumers a clearer compliance framework, but also open unprecedented development opportunities for modification companies.
The new guidelines cover power tuning, exterior upgrades, chassis and suspension adjustments, and the addition of intelligent modules, with exterior customization and smart upgrades highlighted as key areas of policy support. Examples include:
- Exterior component replacement: Front and rear bumpers, grilles, side steps, lighting assemblies,etc.may be replaced as long as vehicle dimensions remain unchanged.
- Intelligent module installation: Ambient lighting, aerodynamic add-ons, sensor modules, etc., are permitted provided they meet electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
- Chassis and suspension adjustments: Minor tuning is allowed as long as the vehicle passes safety testing.
This means companies like VELONSEN, which specialize in exterior body kit upgrades, hardcore off-road builds, and premium business vehicle customization, will gain significant advantages in this compliance-driven era.
By 2024, China’s automotive customization market had already reached 80 billion yuan, with exterior upgrades accounting for the largest share (40%–50%). As regulations loosen, younger consumers pursue personalization, and customization culture spreads across social platforms, market penetration is expected to rise from today’s 3%–5% to 10%–15%, similar to Europe and the United States.Every 1% increase could unlock a trillion-yuan market increment.
For VELONSEN, which focuses on business MPVs and off-road SUV exterior enhancements, this is not just a sales opportunity but a key moment for brand elevation.
Challenges Remain — Compliance Capabilities Will Define the Industry’s Future
Despite policy improvements, the industry still faces inconsistent standards, insufficient testing systems, and consumer concerns about modified vehicle resale value. Therefore, the next stage of competition will no longer be about “who modifies more aggressively”, but rather:
✔ Who understands compliance best
✔ Whose products are more standardized
✔ Who can provide safer, more reliable solutions
VELONSEN is a prime example of a company aligning precisely with this direction.
Future Trends: Beyond “Modification” — Toward a Complete Lifestyle
With regulatory frameworks in place, China’s customization industry will evolve into a sector driven by technology, aesthetics, culture, and lifestyle:
- Software-driven upgrades, lighting aesthetics, and mecha-style exteriors will dominate trends.
- RV and camper conversions will surge alongside the rise of lightweight travel culture.
- Car clubs, owner communities, and motorsport IPs will become key drivers of brand growth.
For VELONSEN, specializing in business transport, off-road exploration, and outdoor travel conversions, this represents long-term, sustained growth momentum.
With New Regulations in Place, the Customization Industry Enters an Era of Quality
The release of the Guidelines for Automotive Modification Technology officially brings China into a new era where compliance, safety, and personalization coexist. In the future, true competitiveness will not come from flashy gimmicks, but from technological standards, manufacturing capability, aesthetic design, and cultural value.VELONSEN stands as one of the most representative forces in this wave of industrial upgrading.