The automotive industry is experiencing a paradigm shift as the winds of artificial intelligence (AI) sweep through, culminating in the highly anticipated launch event from DeepSeek on February 12. This event marks the beginning of a new era, one that promises to reshape the landscape of smart vehicles significantlyThe fusion of technology and automotive dreams was showcased in recent announcements from top players like Geely, as its CEO, Gan Jiayue, declared a bold new strategy focusing on AI integration, set to be unveiled publicly in March.
Driving the change, Geely recently completed a technological merger of its self-developed Xingrui large model with DeepSeek-R1. This integration aims to tackle two long-standing challenges in intelligent vehicles: understanding ambiguous user intentions and enhancing proactive service capabilitiesIn a move that is being closely watched in the industry, Geely clarified its commitment to accelerating the application of advanced AI technologies, which include an end-to-end voice large model and an AI digital chassis, among other innovationsThis groundbreaking initiative was first teased at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where Geely introduced the first comprehensive AI technology framework for smart cars, extending its reach to customers and businesses alike while embracing an integrated intelligent ecosystem.
Leading the charge on AI initiatives at Geely is the Chief AI Scientist, Chen Yong, who reassured stakeholders that AI would be woven into every facet of the development cycle and user experienceThis holistic approach reflects not merely a trend but a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of AIThe recent rise of DeepSeek has garnered attention across the industry, with experts like UBS's China automotive sector research head, Paul Gong, suggesting that the profound integration of smart technologies is becoming a critical theme for automotive stocksGong predicts that Chinese manufacturers will take the lead in smart innovations and will eventually roll these technologies out to the mass market, despite being only a fraction of global automotive valuations.
As automotive manufacturers race to integrate large AI models into their operations, other leading companies are following suit
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Changan Automobile recently announced its smart strategy, aspiring to create a new class of vehicles that are "considerate and knowledgeable," with its "Beidou Tianxu 2.0" planThis bold vision signifies a commitment to produce exclusively smart vehicles moving forward, with an ambitious goal of rolling out 35 new intelligent models in three yearsSimilarly, BYD also launched its own strategic plan to enhance its offerings with the unveiling of the advanced "Heavenly Eye" driving system and the integration of its "Xuanji Architecture" with DeepSeek’s capabilities.
Executives from BYD expressed their enthusiasm about the partnership with DeepSeek, emphasizing the importance of enriching the user experience within their intelligent cockpit systems while also drawing on DeepSeek’s generative capabilities to enhance their driving systems' intelligence and adaptabilityThis synergy represents an evolution in the automotive market, where AI is not only a supplemental technology but a core component of design and functionality.
Meanwhile, Xpeng Motors has positioned itself as a front-runner in the AI race by rebranding as "Xpeng AI Motors." The chairman, He Xiaopeng, has articulated a clear vision of intertwining AI technology with manufacturing, declaring an ambition to emerge as a leader in the AI automotive space over the next decadeLi Xiang, CEO of Li Auto, echoed similar sentiments during the livestream of the Li Auto AI Talk event, affirming that AI represents the entirety of the company's future endeavors.
This industry-wide pivot toward AI reflects a broader consensus that the technology is ushering in a new era of transformationExperts agree that AI will drive a "revolutionary upgrade" in user experiences, facilitating deeply personalized services and creating opportunities for software monetizationThis shift enables car manufacturers to transition more vigorously from merely selling hardware to offering extensive services, redefining value propositions in the automotive sector.
Moreover, the incorporation of AI in autonomous driving systems is poised to yield significant advancements
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