Tencent wants to be foreign automakers’ go-to company for EVs in China
BMW’s iX electric SUV in China was the 1st world-wide motor vehicle brand to include the vehicle model of Tencent’s WeChat messaging app, according to the Chinese tech business.
Tencent
BEIJING — Chinese net big Tencent would like to promote technological know-how which the firm says will assistance foreign automakers that want to sell cars in China’s huge electrical motor vehicle market place.
BMW and some U.S. automakers are now working with Tencent, explained Liu Shuquan, vice president of Tencent Intelligent Mobility, which is aspect of Tencent’s cloud small business. Speaking to CNBC on Friday, he declined to specify which American carmakers it really is working with.
In a transfer aimed at assisting strengthen its global tactic, Liu’s workforce launched a new cloud computing solution for automakers referred to as the “Tencent Intelligent Vehicle Cloud” on Friday.
The all-in-one cloud solution — also available for domestic automakers — can go over all technological elements of an electric powered motor vehicle, the corporation claimed. Those functions vary from storing knowledge in a way optimized for instruction autonomous driving techniques, to giving drivers entry to Tencent’s social media and map apps.
The person interface may possibly be a promoting stage for China’s motorists looking at how Tencent dominates an array of the top on line amusement applications in China.
The organization has performed the purpose of Facebook in China with its ubiquitous WeChat messaging, payments and social media application — some thing tech rivals Baidu and Alibaba have nevertheless to appear shut to.
In amusement, Tencent has other apps as nicely: QQ Tunes, a single of the two key Spotify-like apps in China Tencent Video clip, which presents on-demand streaming material such as reality displays and animated sequence as properly as common cell video games like Honor of Kings.
Tencent Maps is the third most-popular navigation app in Apple’s Application retail outlet in China — the top rated two belong to its vital rivals Alibaba and Baidu.
All autos permitting travellers or drivers access Tencent applications from the vehicle’s platforms want to have an arrangement with Tencent, Liu mentioned.
All those application-degree partnerships started out in 2018, about the similar time Tencent Cloud started operating with automakers for autonomous driving providers, the enterprise explained.
Incorporating additional self-driving tech
Gamers in China’s car sector are ever more betting that local motorists will want more autonomous driving characteristics, which are effectively assisted-driving capabilities owing to regulation of recent know-how.
Currently in the first quarter, 23% of new autos marketed in China arrived with a limited amount of assisted driving, referred to as “Level 2” in a classification procedure for autonomous driving, according to Tencent.
With the new cloud computing solution announced last 7 days, Liu reported overseas car or truck providers could produce automobiles with navigation and assisted-driving options custom made for China’s streets and terrain.
“The facts is owned by [the] OEM, the purchaser,” Liu explained, referring to authentic devices companies which provide factors and areas for a further company’s merchandise.
“We just give cloud company to retailer that details. The 2nd issue is we present a total ecosystem. That ecosystem not only include[s] our very own company and information but also our partners’.”
Liu explained his corporation by now associates with virtually 40 car makes, which include BMW, SAIC and Nio, covering 120 car or truck versions. He also observed partnership talks with German and Japanese companies.
SAIC and Nio reps spoke at Friday’s start party for the “Tencent Clever Automobile Cloud” merchandise.
BMW stated in a statement it declared a partnership with Tencent in July 2020 to “speed up the integration of digital encounter inside of BMW motor vehicles.”
Right after Tencent’s WeChat in-auto variation went live on the initial at any time electric powered BMW iX vehicle very last yr, the business plans incorporating Tencent Movie and other merchandise this calendar year, the automaker said.
“The BMW Team treats knowledge protection and privacy as the prime precedence. Our operations in China abide by pertinent rules and polices on the matter,” the statement said.
