China’s EV players ramp up competition with Tesla using new technology

From CNBC:

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are rolling out cars with tech specs that Tesla doesn’t offer in the country. Features include in-car projectors, refrigerators, and driver-assist. Aito’s M9 SUV orders have already surpassed 30,000 vehicles, and deliveries are set to begin soon. The car sells for 470,000 to 570,000 yuan.

Competition is heating up in China’s electric car market as more than 100 new EV models are set to launch in 2024. Chinese consumers are focused on car tech features and driver-assist capabilities. Prices and maximizing mileage are also top considerations. Appotronics’ car tech business segment is expected to generate revenue in the range of a few hundred million yuan.

BYD, a Chinese company, has overtaken Tesla in total car production and sold more battery-only cars in the fourth quarter. Traditional foreign auto giants are struggling to adjust to the surge of electric cars. German engineers and Chinese engineers have different approaches to designing cars. German engineers prioritize horsepower, while Chinese engineers focus on cockpit and interior design.

Driver-assist has emerged as a competitive feature for electric cars in China. Chinese regulators are starting to allow more driver-assist features for passenger cars in cities. However, it remains unclear to what extent consumers are willing to pay for driver-assist features. Over 20 unique ADAS features are available, and not all are equally popular with consumers.



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