- BYD Expands Self-Driving Tech: The Chinese EV giant will integrate its “God’s Eye” autonomous driving system across all models, including the budget-friendly Seagull.
- AI-Powered Vehicles: BYD is partnering with Deepseek to embed home-grown AI into its cars, joining rivals like Xpeng and Zeekr in the race for smarter EVs.
- Fierce Competition: BYD’s $14 billion push into intelligent vehicles puts it in direct competition with Tesla, which plans to launch its Full Self-Driving system in China this year.
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has announced a major expansion of its self-driving technology, intensifying competition with Tesla in the race for autonomous driving supremacy. The company revealed on Monday that it will integrate its advanced “God’s Eye” intelligent driving system across its entire vehicle lineup, including its budget-friendly models. The move underscores BYD’s strategy to maintain its lead in China’s hypercompetitive EV market by enhancing its cars with cutting-edge technology.
BYD’s latest initiative includes equipping even its most affordable model, the Seagull, with “high-level” intelligent driving features. The sub-$10,000 vehicle will receive upgrades that enable advanced driver assistance, such as remote parking and autonomous lane changing. The company also announced that all six of its major brands, named after Chinese imperial dynasties, will incorporate the new technology. The announcement boosted BYD’s stock to a record high on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, rising 4% on Tuesday morning.
In addition to its self-driving technology, BYD is integrating artificial intelligence into its vehicles through a collaboration with Deepseek, a Chinese AI company. This aligns with a growing trend among domestic automakers, as competitors such as Xpeng and Zeekr have already embedded AI-driven features into their models. The shift toward “electric intelligent vehicles” (EIVs) reflects an industry-wide push to combine electric mobility with AI-powered automation to enhance user experience and safety.
BYD’s expansion into autonomous driving comes amid fierce competition in China’s EV sector. Newcomers like Xiaomi have quickly gained traction, with its SU7 sedan exceeding sales expectations thanks to its intelligent driving and voice control capabilities. Meanwhile, established players like Nio and Xpeng continue refining their own self-driving technologies. BYD has committed at least $14 billion to advancing its intelligent vehicle program, signaling its ambition to dominate the evolving landscape.
Despite its aggressive push, BYD faces formidable rivals, including Tesla, which aims to introduce its Full Self-Driving system in China this year. The broader industry is also grappling with signs of consolidation, as state-owned automakers Dongfeng and Changan announced restructuring plans that sparked speculation of a potential merger. As the EV market shifts toward high-tech automation, BYD’s bold strategy positions it at the forefront of China’s next-generation automotive revolution.
