Introduction
"A car that automatically turns the steering wheel and presses the accelerator"—such a science fiction-like world is finally about to become a reality in neighboring China.
By the end of 2025, the Chinese government will finally..."Level 3 autonomous driving"のMass production permitI did. Up until now, experimental"Robotaxis"The Chinese autonomous driving market, which was once centered on privately owned vehicles, is now shifting its focus to personal cars for ordinary consumers. This article provides a clear explanation of what is happening in China and the identity of the "unexpected main player" at its heart.
Finally, it's permitted for mass-produced vehicles! China enters the era of "Level 3" autonomous driving.
China's autonomous driving technology has now moved beyond the "testing phase" and entered the "mass adoption phase."
On December 15, 2025, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology granted the first-ever permission for mass production of Level 3 electric vehicles (EVs) to two companies affiliated with BAIC Group: ArcFox and Chongqing Changan Automobile. 。
In this context, "Level 3" refers to a state where, under certain conditions such as on a highway, the system performs all driving operations. In Japan, Honda was the first in the world to obtain approval for this driving style in 2021, but even in China, the world's largest automobile market, this "eyes-off" driving style is finally becoming a common sight. 。
According to experts at Mizuho Bank, it is predicted that approximately 301 TP3T of new cars sold in China will reach Level 3 by 2030, indicating an astonishing rate of adoption. 。
No longer a "behind-the-scenes" player, Huawei is becoming a major player in the automotive industry.
In this autonomous driving revolution, the company currently making the biggest impact is not the existing automakers, but the IT giant Huawei. What was once a behind-the-scenes role supplying parts has now rapidly grown into a top runner in China's autonomous driving technology. 。
The reasons why Huawei is becoming a major player can be summarized into the following three points:
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Overwhelming technological capabilities and number of patents
In a global ranking of patent strength related to autonomous driving, Huawei is ranked 9th. This ranking surpasses that of Japan's Honda (13th) and Germany's Volkswagen (17th), demonstrating a strong foundation not only in software but also in intellectual property. 。 -
The expansion of the "Huawei alliance"
Instead of manufacturing its own cars, Huawei has adopted a strategy of launching co-brands with numerous automakers. Starting with "AITO" at the end of 2021, it currently has partnerships with seven companies, including major players such as SAIC Motor Corporation and Dongfeng Motor Corporation. 。 -
Advanced AI sensor technology
Huawei is highly regarded in China for its technology that uses sensors to capture surrounding information and AI to instantly recognize and operate it. The Ark Fox vehicles that were recently approved also utilize the company's technology. 。
Accelerating competition and the "risks and crossroads" facing Japanese companies
While Chinese companies are rapidly gaining ground, foreign manufacturers such as those from Japan and Germany find themselves in a complicated position.
Huawei's technology is extremely attractive, but relying too heavily on it carries the risk of "losing control of development." Furthermore, due to geopolitical risks such as the US-China conflict, foreign companies remain cautious about adopting Huawei's technology. 。
In fact, major Japanese companies such as Toyota Motor are collaborating with Huawei on "smart cockpit" components such as navigation screens, but are relying on emerging Chinese companies for the crucial autonomous driving technology."Momenta"We employ technologies such as these to diversify risk. 。
Furthermore, there are still challenges unrelated to technology.
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Responsibility in the event of an accident:
In the event of an accident, it is still unclear whether the responsibility lies with the "driver" or the "manufacturer." 。 -
Restrictions on driving range:
Currently, Level 3 use is limited to certain expressways in Beijing and Chongqing, and only within specific speed limits. 。
The focus going forward will be on how to overcome these challenges and promote safe and rapid adoption.
Summary
The Chinese automotive market, now entangled with the IT giant Huawei, has completely shifted from hardware-driven to software-driven competition. The speed of this change teaches us the importance of not being bound by past successes and constantly optimizing the balance between "technological leadership" and "partnerships."
