The automotive landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, particularly with the rise of intelligent electric vehicles, or NEVs (New Energy Vehicles). As companies step into this new era of smart driving, the idea of "equal rights in intelligent driving" has begun to take center stageThis shift is not merely about incorporating technology; it reflects a broader push to democratize access to advanced features that were once relegated to the high-end segment of the market.
On February 17, Lantu Automotive's CEO, Lu Fang, made a significant announcement pledging the company’s commitment to fully integrate Huawei's advanced autonomous driving technology, known as the Qian Kun driving system, across all its model categories by the end of 2025. This bold move promises to bring cutting-edge intelligent driving capabilities—previously seen as a luxury—into the hands of everyday consumersThe objective is to ensure that families across China can reap the benefits of domestic technological progress.
Since the beginning of the Year of the Snake, the auto industry has witnessed a proliferation of discussions around intelligent driving equityNumerous automakers have already announced their plans to equip all their models with sophisticated autonomous driving technologies, suggesting that this trend is rapidly gaining momentum.
Behind Lantu's commitment lies a significant evolution in automotive technologyEnhanced smart cabins and intelligent driving systems aim to enrich the user experience, marking the beginning of a potential "smart driving for all" eraIndustry experts believe that as automakers continue to expand their intelligent driving capabilities, the cost of these technologies will decrease, consequently making them more accessible across various market segments.
The acceleration of intelligent driving has taken shape as the intelligentization of new energy vehicles enters a critical phaseStandard features like Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) and automatic parking are becoming commonplace
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For instance, Lantu’s self-developed Kunpeng model showcases their latest technology, featuring the Xiaoyao smart cabin along with a suite of 26 supporting intelligent driving functionsIt offers 172 different parking scenarios and employs an 8295P automotive-grade chip to enable seamless interaction across eight screens within the vehicle.
This merging of technology not only enhances the capabilities of NEVs but also exemplifies how partnerships between tech companies and traditional automakers can yield groundbreaking productsThe collaboration between Lantu and Huawei has borne fruit in the Dreamer Qian Kun version, which boasts the world’s first integration of Huawei’s Qian Kun ADS 3.0 and HarmonyOS cabin into an MPV, setting a new standard in intelligent driving technology.
Lu Fang emphasizes that the goal of Lantu is to provide a genuinely high-end and enjoyable intelligent driving experience to users, highlighting the principle of equitable access to intelligent drivingHe believes that while basic intelligent driving experiences can be quickly standardized across various models, achieving a higher-level intelligent driving experience will demand more time and investment.
Lantu’s focus on intelligentization is not merely a business strategy but a commitment to its customersAs a high-end smart electric brand under the Dongfeng umbrella, Lantu is recognized for its early efforts to pivot from traditional fossil fuel vehicles toward innovative solutions in the EV sectorThis transition affects not just the company but the entire automotive industry as it strives for sustainability and modernization, playing a crucial role in driving economic growth.
As of now, Lantu's factories have successfully produced over 170,000 high-end NEVs, contributing to a staggering output value exceeding 50 billion RMB, and positioning itself as a "green engine" for industrial transformation.
The penetration rate of intelligent driving is set to reach unprecedented heights
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With increasing proclamations from countless carmakers about equipping their entire range of products with intelligent driving systems, 2025 could herald a new era of accessible intelligent driving across the board.
Notably, technological advancements, especially through innovations like DeepSeek, are lowering the cost barriers associated with smart drivingThis technological support is expected to streamline costs associated with both cloud training and vehicle-level chip productionAnalysts from Hu Long Securities predict that autonomous vehicle manufacturers will likely accelerate in-house development for smarter driving technologies, leading to a significant scale effect across the industry.
Lantu's production figures for 2024 showcase this growth, with a projected delivery of 85,697 vehicles, marking a remarkable 70% year-on-year increaseNotably, December alone saw deliveries reaching 12,136 units, up 21% from the previous year, indicating a consistent acceleration in sales.
Furthermore, Lantu is committed to innovation, recently initiating an OTA (Over-The-Air) update for its intelligent driving system's latest iteration, including features such as parking navigation assistance and Valet Parking Driver (VPD)—an ingenious addition that enables vehicles to autonomously navigate parking lots and find available spots without human intervention.
The symbiosis of technology, cost-effectiveness, and market dynamics is paving the way for 2025 to emerge as a landmark year for intelligent driving equityProjections indicate that high-level intelligent driving systems could penetrate over 21% to 23.5% of the market, dramatically shifting perceptions about what consumers can expect from their vehicles.
In summary, the overarching narrative of intelligent driving in China is one of empowerment and innovation, and with strong orchestration from leading automotive players, it is likely that the dream of "equal access to intelligent driving" will soon become a tangible reality
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