China’s Automotive Industry Shifts Gears on Smart Driving
Chinese car manufacturers are accelerating the rollout of smart driving technology, making it a standard feature across various models. Three major companies – Chery, GAC, and Geely’s premium arm Zeekr – recently announced ambitious plans to integrate advanced driver-assistance systems into their mass-market vehicles.
Chery Leads with Falcon Smart Driving System
Chery, the Chinese partner of Jaguar Land Rover, unveiled its Falcon smart driving system, which will be available across all its brands by the end of 2025. Li Xueyong, Chery’s executive vice-president, stated that over 30 models with different powertrains will feature the Falcon system. The most affordable model with this technology will be the Chery Ant, a mini electric car priced at 65,900 yuan ($9,116), boasting 23 smart driving functions including automatic parking and Navigate on Autopilot on expressways.
The Falcon system comes in three solutions: Falcon 500, 700, and 900, with the latter offering Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, autonomous driving is rated on a scale of zero to five. A Level 2 vehicle can steer, brake, and accelerate in certain situations, but drivers must remain alert. Level 3 cars can steer, brake, and accelerate autonomously under specific conditions, allowing drivers to temporarily disengage.
Other Manufacturers Follow Suit
GAC Group also unveiled its intelligent driving strategy, with Feng Xingya, chairman and president of GAC Group, stating that intelligent driving capabilities will become a critical standard for evaluating automotive products. GAC plans to launch China’s first mass-produced Level 3 model by the end of 2025 and offer Level 4 vehicles to private car buyers from 2027.
Other manufacturers are also making significant strides. Xpeng plans to launch quasi-L3 software in mid-2025, while Changan aims to achieve full-scenario L3 driving in 2026 and aspires to reach L4 capabilities by 2028. BYD, China’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, has equipped its entire lineup with advanced intelligent driving systems, enabling features like automatic highway driving and parking.
Democratizing Smart Driving Technology
Traditionally, advanced features like lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control were reserved for premium vehicles priced from 150,000 yuan. However, manufacturers are now making these features more accessible. BYD’s Seagull model, priced at 69,800 yuan, offers advanced intelligent driving capabilities.
Wang Chuanfu, chairman and president of BYD, emphasized that intelligent driving should not be a luxury but a standard feature for all consumers. By making high-level driver assistance available across their range, manufacturers are accelerating the transition toward smarter, safer mobility.
The push for smart driving technology is expected to enhance road safety, with 21% of traffic accidents in China attributed to fatigued drivers. Features like automatic emergency braking and steering can significantly reduce such incidents.
As China’s automotive industry continues to innovate and make smart driving technology more widespread, it is set to transform the mobility landscape both domestically and internationally.
