‘Look, no hands': China chases the driverless dream at Beijing car show

• Huawei announced plans to invest up to 80 billion yuan (£8.7bn) over five years in autonomous driving software and computing power, reflecting industrywide focus on AI features to generate new revenue streams
• China's car exports surged over 60% in Q1 2025 as companies target markets like the UK, where Chery sold 13,500 vehicles between September-March and aims for 10 million global annual sales by 2030
• Geely plans to deploy thousands of driverless taxis globally next year through its Caocao ride-hailing service, competing with US firms like Waymo, though regulatory barriers remain a challenge in China

Summary: China's Autonomous Driving Push at Beijing Auto Show

Key Developments:

At the Beijing Auto Fair, China's automotive manufacturers showcased extensive autonomous driving technologies as the industry pivots toward AI-powered vehicles amid slowing domestic sales. The event featured over 1,000 vehicles across 380,000 square meters, with nearly every major Chinese automaker demonstrating "hands-free" driving capabilities.

Major Investments:

Telecommunications group Huawei announced plans to invest up to 80 billion yuan (£8.7 billion) over five years in autonomous driving software and computing power. Companies like Xpeng and Xiaomi unveiled AI systems enabling voice commands for parking and integrated lifestyle services including restaurant reservations and coffee orders.

Market Challenges:

Chinese domestic passenger vehicle sales dropped 17% in Q1 2025 following government subsidy phase-outs. BYD, the EV market leader, reported seven consecutive months of declining sales. However, China's automotive exports surged over 60% in the same period.

International Expansion:

Geely announced plans to deploy thousands of driverless taxis globally in 2026 through its Caocao ride-hailing service, competing with US firms like Waymo. Chery, China's largest car exporter, targets 10 million global annual sales by 2030 (up from 5 million in 2025) and has sold 13,500 vehicles in the UK since August 2024. Chinese companies are expected to represent a significant portion of UK car sales in 2025, focusing on markets like the UK and Canada to circumvent US and EU tariffs.

Regulatory Environment:

China completed consultations on new autonomous vehicle safety standards, though no nationwide guidelines exist yet, limiting widespread robotaxi deployment despite successful trials in multiple cities.