BYD to take on Tesla’s Autopilot with new driver-assist software – report
The competition among the world’s top EV manufacturers is heating up. A recent report indicates that BYD plans to debut a new advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) later this year, aiming to directly rival Tesla’s Autopilot.
Tesla set another record in the first quarter with 422,875 vehicle deliveries, reinforcing its position in the US EV market, while BYD continued to dominate in China.
In the first quarter of this year, BYD sold 264,664 fully electric models, surpassing Volkswagen in passenger car sales to secure the title of China’s top-selling brand.
The competition between these two is poised to move beyond hardware. According to a recent report from the HiEV Research Institute, a Chinese think tank, BYD is preparing to launch its new high-speed navigation-assisted driving function (NOA), named DNP, in the third quarter of this year.
According to Car News China, the upcoming 2023 Han premium EV sedan will be the first electric vehicle to feature this software, set to launch in Q4. BYD’s new ADAS will also be integrated into its upcoming premium F brand, which includes an electric pickup and an electric SUV aimed at competing with the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
Initially, the new software will enable assisted driving on highways, with potential future upgrades to include assisted driving capabilities on specific urban streets.
BYD intensifies competition with Tesla with new ADAS
BYD is directly competing with Tesla in the rapidly expanding Chinese EV market. Despite frequent comparisons, these are fundamentally distinct companies with a shared mission: advancing EV adoption and reducing emissions from passenger vehicles.
It’s clear that BYD started as a battery maker and has shifted focus to producing affordable EVs. Tesla, on the other hand, has concentrated on software development, particularly in advancing self-driving technology like Full Self Driving (FSD) and Autopilot.
The HiEV report reveals BYD’s strategic move towards developing assisted highway driving capabilities, signaling a direct challenge to Tesla’s Autopilot and XPeng’s latest ‘XNGP’ ADAS. This initiative underscores BYD’s intent to solidify its position in the competitive EV market by enhancing driver assistance technology, aligning with global trends towards autonomous driving solutions.
Following in the footsteps of automakers such as Tesla and other Chinese EV manufacturers that have markedly increased profit margins through software innovations like ADAS, BYD is positioned to adopt a similar strategy.
BYD is not the only automaker seeking software revenue. GM has introduced its GM Envolve fleet solutions, and Porsche recently announced a partnership with Mobileye. During Ford’s Q1 earnings call, CEO Jim Farley highlighted a similar trend, observing a shift in Chinese consumer preferences away from traditional luxury brands and hardware-centric designs.
Instead, the most successful brands are pivoting towards delivering software-defined experiences.
