Since the late 1990s, Wuhu has focused on cultivating three pillar industries: new building materials, automobiles and parts, and electronic appliances. In the new century, with the growth of enterprises such as Conch, Chery and Midea, the three pillar industries of Wuhu have risen rapidly. Under the new situation of economic globalization and regional economic integration, and China's entry into WTO, at the end of 2003, Wuhu policy makers put forward the strategic decision of "integrating into the Yangtze River Delta economic circle faster and better, and accelerating the process of industrialization and urbanization in Wuhu". It is a realistic strategic choice to integrate into the "Yangtze River Delta" and accelerate the industrialization process to enlarge and strengthen the pillar industries, cultivate and develop strategic industries and build Wuhu manufacturing base with all efforts.
On the one hand, Wuhu has the advantages of relatively low location, transportation and business costs, attracting large domestic and foreign enterprises to set up production bases in Wuhu. Some Fortune 500 companies and domestic listed companies have turned their attention to the national Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone. Coupled with the driving and diffusion effect of Wuhu automobile industry, Wuhu manufacturing base has begun to take shape.
On the other hand, Wuhu is in the middle stage of industrialization, and the level of economic development at this stage lags behind the Yangtze River Delta region. After the industrial upgrading in the Yangtze River Delta region, industrial gradient transfer will be formed. Wuhu is located in the northwest edge of the Yangtze River Delta, so it is advisable to build a manufacturing base first, and then move towards the "base +R&D" manufacturing model after industrial agglomeration. The recent transfer of Midea's air conditioning research and development to Wuhu is the best example.