It's easier to compete with the best when mRNA vaccines has only one performance parameters: efficacy against infection.
Automobiles have like a thousand different performance parameters, from engine fuel-economy, engine horse-power, engine-emissions, engine-thermal performance, engine tow-capacity, not even mentioning the creature-comforts like interior design, seats, dashboard, power-steering, radar cruise-control, rear-view cameras, speakers, leather materials, sun roof, bluetooth, etc...
The two industries are not even remotely comparable.
China can become EQUALS of the West in mRNA vaccine tech overnight by hitting efficacy-equality, whereas it will take DECADES of years of joint-ventures to equal to build an equivalent Western high-end luxury car that has thousands and thousands of components to get right. In contrast with mRNA vaccines, you only need to hit 'efficacy' equivalency to be equal to them.