Chinese automaker BYD is teaming up with Huawei for its advanced autonomous driving system (ADS). On Tuesday, August 27, Huawei announced that its ADS would take off with BYD’s next Fangchengbao brand electric vehicle (EV).
The Bao 8 SUV under the Fangchengbao brand will be BYD’s first EV to use Huawei’s Qiankun ADS. The all-electric SUV’s sales launch will start in late 2024.
Reuters reported that BYD hopes that its partnership with Huawei will boost the sales of its premium Denza brands and improve the profitability of its Fangchengbao and Yangwang brands. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Denza, Fangchengbao, and Yangwang have made up only 5% of BYD’s total sales in the first half of this year.
It seems that China’s largest automaker aims to strengthen the sales of its other brands. To become a top global automaker, BYD must compete with other car companies that have many successful brands. Hyundai Motor Company, for instance, has the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands under its belt. Volkswagen Group is another automaker with many popular brands, including Porsche, Lamborghini, and Audi.
Partnering with Huawei will give BYD an edge against other legacy automakers aiming to grab a piece of the EV market. Tesla emphasized the importance of ADS in the future of the global automobile market. Other automakers are developing their own ADS to differentiate themselves in the market.
In 2023, BYD argued that self-driving technology is “basically impossible,” adding that it should be considered for industrial applications. However, in 2024, the Chinese automaker announced a $14 billion investment in smart car technology, including autonomous driving software and driver-assistance systems.
If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via X @Writer_01001101.
