China EV makers race on AI features amid price war
China EV market shifts to in-car AI as brands race beyond battery range See how Doubao and Qwen are reshaping features, partnerships and competition
China’s electric vehicle market is increasingly competing on incar AI and software features rather than battery range alone, as automakers try to stand out in a crowded market and a longrunning price war.
ByteDance said its Doubao AI model is now used in more than 145 car models and over 7 million vehicles. The system is being added to both domestic and foreignbranded models, including versions linked to MercedesBenz, Audi and Volkswagen through Chinese partnerships.
Alibaba also said its Qwen AI model is being integrated into vehicles from automakers including BYD and a Volkswagen joint venture. The focus is on voicecontrolled services such as food delivery, hotel bookings, ticket purchases and package tracking, while experts say the technology is becoming harder to differentiate as more brands adopt similar features.