In a landmark move, eleven automakers—including local players GAC, SAIC, JAC, Dongfeng M-Hero, Voyah, Deepal, BAIC, Avatr, Seres, Chery, and one international titan, Audi—teamed up on Sunday to urge higher safety standards for smart assisted driving in the Chinese mainland. Spearheaded by tech giant Huawei, this joint initiative covers four key pillars:
- Technology investment: Ramp up R&D to strengthen vehicle safety systems.
- Transparent marketing: Clearly outline the capabilities and limits of assisted driving to prevent misleading claims.
- User education: Roll out training programs that boost driver awareness and promote proper system use.
- Industry standardization: Collaborate on unified safety regulations across brands.
This plan builds on an April 21 proposal by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) and the China Society of Automotive Engineers. That earlier call warned against exaggerated claims, stressed clear system boundaries and reminded drivers that assisted driving is not the same as full autonomy.
The initiative gained extra urgency after a high-profile crash on March 29 involving Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan—the model that has consistently outsold Tesla’s Model 3 in monthly sales since December 2024. Xiaomi founder Lei Jun pledged to “respond to the concerns of families and society,” as the industry works to restore consumer confidence.
For global observers, this coalition signals a shift toward more responsible growth in the autonomous vehicle market. By blending innovation with clear rules and driver training, these automakers hope to pave the way for safer roads on and beyond the Chinese mainland.
Reference(s):
11 carmakers push for safer autonomous driving standards in China
cgtn.com
