MUNICH, Oct 7 — Blocked from the US market, Chinese self-driving technology firms are accelerating their push into Europe, setting up headquarters, striking data deals, and...
In Sarawak, Kenari driver who crashed into multiple vehicles on Sibu’s Jalan Oya gets three-day remand, tests positive for drugsChinese self-driving technology firms are setting up shop across Europe after being shut out of the US, sparking both excitement and concern among local competitors.
— Reuters file picMUNICH, Oct 7 — Blocked from the US market, Chinese self-driving technology firms are accelerating their push into Europe, setting up headquarters, striking data deals, and road-testing — prompting alarm from local rivals over competition concerns. In China, the world’s largest car market, more than half of cars sold — including many entry-level models — now offer autonomous driving technology, sometimes as standard. Beijing is pushing its companies to dominate autonomous-vehicle development globally while crafting national regulations to provide a clear roadmap at home. That expansion is already underway. Reuters spoke to a dozen company executives who described how Chinese firms are using Europe as a beachhead for global expansion, mirroring the push with electric vehicles. “We’re focusing on Europe for our global future,” said Dong Li, chief technology officer of QCraft, which announced plans for a new German headquarters at last month’s Munich auto show, citing a more open environment than in the United States. “There are barriers in the US market,” he said, referring to US national security concerns over the data that autonomous driving systems collect. Europe offers a more open regulatory environment, the companies said, although driver-assistance systems there are currently limited to a few luxury models and developers complain about patchwork regulation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Friday for a continent-wide push to develop self-driving cars, acknowledging they were already a reality in the United States and China.QCraft, a Beijing-based startup that supplies driver-assistance systems, is working with Chinese and European automakers and expects to sell its technology in Europe within two years. Buses in 26 Chinese cities operate QCraft’s Level-4 autonomous technology, meaning they can drive for extended periods without human intervention. Deeproute.ai, another Chinese firm focused on supplying Level-4 technology to automakers, plans to build a European data center once it secures deals now under discussion with European and Chinese automakers. Leading Chinese autonomous-tech developer Momenta, which supplies systems to automakers including Toyota and General Motors, has partnered with Uber to start testing Level-4 technology in Germany next year. Momenta announced in September it will supply driver-assistance technology for Mercedes-Benz in China, starting with the electric CLA sedan. Mercedes has started testing the same technology in Europe, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.Other leading Chinese self-driving players including WeRide, Baidu and Pony.ai are also expanding in Europe, said Yvette Zhang, automotive consultant with research firm AlixPartners. Like Chinese EV makers, they see an opportunity to generate higher profits than they can make in China’s overcrowded market.Some European rivals want subsidies and protectionist trade policies while others recognise that Chinese competition could sharpen technology industry-wide and accelerate Europe’s lagging development. Jim Hutchinson, CEO of British startup Fusion Processing, which plans Level-4 driverless bus tests next year, argues for stricter oversight, citing national-security and competitive concerns. “If we want to have this technology, we need higher levels of regulation and a bit of intervention for a level playing field,” Hutchinson said.Advanced driver-assistance systems that remain pricey in Europe are being offered cheaply — even free — in China by automakers looking to differentiate themselves in the price war. According to research firm Canalys, about 15 million cars sold in China this year — more than 60 per cent — will have Level-2 technology, which allows automated driving under certain conditions but requires human drivers’ attention. Chinese regulators in June approved nine automakers for public-road testing of Level-3 systems that allow drivers to look away in most circumstances. Following a US ban on China connected-car technology under President Joe Biden, European governments have been seen as more accommodating to Chinese cars and technology, said Tu Le, founder of consultancy Sino Auto Insights.Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of European autonomous-tech firm Wayve, advocates for an open market with streamlined regulations. Chinese competition, he told Reuters, will accelerate growth in a fledgling industry. “How many autonomous vehicles are there in the world today? Not many, right?” Kendall asked. “Even if you’re in some subset of the world, there’s acres of space to grow.” At September’s Munich auto show, Chinese self-driving firms including Momenta, QCraft, Horizon Robotics and DeepRoute.ai showed up in force for the first time, alongside Chinese EV makers, to tout their low-priced systems. Momenta’s Level-4 testing with Uber will start in Munich, the hometown of BMW, which partners with Momenta in China. The Uber partnership is the “starting point for a broader rollout across Europe,” Momenta’s European chairman Gerhard Steiger said at the show. DeepRoute.ai CEO Maxwell Zhou echoed that ambition in an interview: “Europe is a huge market,” he said. “It’s very important for us.”Europe’s self-driving technology firms are testing their own systems but most European countries do not allow public deployment of anything beyond basic Level 2 systems that require drivers to maintain control at all times. The European Commission is aiming to harmonize a fragmented regulatory landscape for testing and eventual deployment of more sophisticated systems. For now, such testing is limited to a few markets including Britain and Germany. Berlin-based startup Vay is currently testing self-driving technology for robotaxis and buses in Germany and runs a remotely-driven rental car service in Las Vegas and with D’leteren’s car rental unit Poppy Mobility. Vay co-founder Fabrizio Scelsi supports the EU push for simplified regional regulations and calls for more government backing to bolster domestic players while embracing foreign innovation. He said Chinese competition will force “European players to sharpen their strategies very quickly,” as the race for autonomous dominance shifts gear. — Reuters
Qcraft German Headquarters Level-4 Autonomous Technology Momenta Uber Partnership Germany European Commission Self-Driving Regulations Chinese Autonomous Tech Competition
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hundreds of thousands turn out at pro-Palestinian marches in EuropeBig Little Lies is officially making a big return with a long-awaited third season at HBO after a six-year hiatus.
Read more »
Trump Deploys Troops to Chicago, Blocked in PortlandPresident Trump authorized the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago following a shooting by a federal agent, while a judge blocked his attempt to send the military to Portland. This escalation of anti-crime and migration crackdowns fuels tensions with Democrats who accuse him of overreach.
Read more »
Pro-Palestinian Protests Across Europe Demand Gaza Ceasefire and Flotilla ReleaseMassive rallies across Europe, including Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin, and Paris, saw hundreds of thousands protesting the war in Gaza, Israel's interception of a humanitarian flotilla, and calling for the release of detained activists. Protesters voiced solidarity with Palestinians, condemned Israeli actions, and called for an end to the conflict.
Read more »
Indonesia revokes TikTok licence suspension after data submittedThe platform was blocked after refusing to share user activity during August protests following a delivery driver’s death.
Read more »
Pro-Palestinian Protests Across Europe Demand End to Gaza WarMassive demonstrations took place across Europe, including Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, and Dublin, protesting the war in Gaza and demanding an immediate ceasefire and the release of activists. Protesters voiced strong criticism of Israel's military actions and, in some cases, criticized their governments' responses.
Read more »
Kepong Hit by Severe Storm, Causing Damage and DisruptionsA severe thunderstorm and hailstorm struck Kepong, Malaysia, causing significant damage. Restaurant employees struggled to secure items, while street food vendor canopies were blown away. Fallen trees blocked roads, prompting emergency response from Kuala Lumpur City Hall and volunteers.
Read more »