The Chinese government has announced its selection of nine automotive companies to conduct trial tests in autonomous driving pilot zones designated within the country.
According to online economic media outlets such as Sina Finance on the 6th, four ministries including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and the Ministry of Transport jointly selected nine consortiums to participate in the trial tests in autonomous driving pilot zones.
This expands the previous trial tests of driverless vehicles and related business in autonomous driving pilot zones, conducted by companies such as Baidu and Xiaomi Zhixing, to include electric vehicles (EV) and connected car manufacturers.
The aim is to operate connected cars equipped with autonomous driving features at Level 3 (L3) and Level 4 (L4) within the autonomous driving pilot zones, based on extensive road testing and pilot applications of connected cars. The intention is to accelerate and broaden the commercialization of autonomous driving by involving these manufacturers with mass production capabilities.
The nine selected companies include leading Chinese EV manufacturer BYD, Changan Automobile, Guangzhou Automobile Group’s Guangqi Passenger Vehicle, Shanghai Automobile Group, Rongwei Microna Automobile, FAW, and NIO.
Not a single foreign automotive major company, including Tesla, was selected.
This reflects the stance of prioritizing domestic companies in the development of autonomous driving technology. Regarding the detailed maps and driving data necessary for autonomous driving, the Chinese government has been reluctant to allow entry of foreign companies, citing concerns about national security and safety.
In addition to passenger cars, the list also includes Shanghai Automobile Group’s truck manufacturer Hongyan Automobile, and the large bus company Wuzhoulong Motors. The plan of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments is to accelerate the development of autonomous driving technology across a wide range of transportation fields.
These nine vehicles have been granted permission to conduct autonomous driving pilot projects in the respective zones where their companies are located. Through the massive deployment of automotive manufacturers in the autonomous driving pilot zones, Chinese authorities are expecting technological innovation in autonomous driving and expansion of the supply chain for equipped vehicles. Local media reported that Chinese authorities are also speeding up the establishment and improvement of regulatory and legal systems related to vehicles equipped with autonomous driving.
Chinese authorities are accumulating driving experience as well as establishing and revising relevant laws, regulations, and technical standards through the pilot project. They are attempting to upgrade China’s industries of intelligent network vehicles and new energy vehicles by expanding the production of intelligent network vehicles and enhancing road traffic safety management systems.
BYD stated on its official Weibo account, “Following BYD becoming the first (among car manufacturers) to receive an L3 autonomous driving test license in July last year, we have once again received recognition for our strong smart car development capabilities. We will further accelerate the industrialization of L3 autonomous driving technology.”
NIO Automobile also announced that it had been selected for the pilot project of L3/L4 autonomous driving entry and road driving, expressing its determination to accelerate its autonomous driving business.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated, “Being selected in the reporting stage of this pilot project does not mean that connected cars equipped with autonomous driving features have received entry or traffic permits.” These companies will be evaluated for the performance and safety of their vehicles equipped with autonomous driving technology. After receiving an autonomous driving license (license plate), they must register the vehicles to conduct verification tests in designated zones.
According to Sina Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology plans to accelerate the mass production of connected cars and the convergence of the automobile industry, new energy industry, artificial intelligence industry, and information communication through the pilot project.
