October 6, 2025
In light of restrictions barring access to the U.S. marketplace, Chinese firms specializing in self-driving technology are intensifying their efforts in Europe.
New headquarters are being established, data agreements are being forged, and extensive road-testing is underway, as reported by Reuters.
This escalation has triggered apprehensions among local competitors regarding potential competitive disadvantages.
In China, which stands as the largest automotive market globally, over half of the cars sold now incorporate autonomous driving features.
The Chinese government is vigorously advocating for its enterprises to take a preeminent role in the global autonomous vehicle landscape while simultaneously devising national regulations that establish a lucid framework domestically.
Company executives elucidate how these firms are leveraging Europe as a strategic launchpad for international expansion.
“We are concentrating on Europe for our global aspirations,” stated Dong Li, Chief Technology Officer of QCraft, which unveiled plans for a new headquarters in Germany at last month’s auto exhibition in Munich.
“There are obstacles in the U.S. market,” he added, referencing national security apprehensions surrounding the data amassed by autonomous driving systems.
European firms have indicated that their regulatory environment is comparatively more accommodating, despite the current limitations of driver-assistance systems to a select array of luxury vehicles.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has advocated for a continent-wide initiative aimed at advancing self-driving technology, recognizing its existing prevalence in both the United States and China. “The same should be true here in Europe,” she asserted.
Expansion Strategies Unveiled
Beijing-based startup QCraft is collaborating with automakers from both China and Europe, forecasting the introduction of its technology to the European market within two years.
Notably, buses utilizing QCraft’s Level-4 autonomous technology operate in 26 cities across China.
In a parallel development, Deeproute.ai is set to construct a European data center contingent upon securing ongoing negotiations with both European and Chinese automotive manufacturers.
Momenta, a leading Chinese developer that supplies systems to companies such as Toyota and General Motors, has allied with Uber to commence testing Level-4 technology in Germany next year.
In September, Momenta disclosed that it would supply driver-assistance technology for Mercedes-Benz in China, beginning with the electric CLA sedan.
Mercedes has reportedly initiated testing of similar technology in Europe, according to sources familiar with the developments.
Source link: Indexbox.io.
