Byd, China's largest automaker, once again shakes the electric vehicle industry this week after announcing that it will provide the most advanced autonomous driving systems on all vehicles, including the cheapest Seagull model.
The automaker will sell 21 models equipped with its “Eye of God” Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADA) on Monday.
“[We are] Begin an era where autonomous driving is suitable for everyone. “Wang Chuanfu, founder of Byd, said at a live broadcast conference.
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The technology is “no longer an unrealized luxury, but an essential tool. . Like a seat belt and airbag”, quoted by Wang as saying By the Financial Times.
Byd deploys three different versions of the “Eye of God” ADA in its lineup. All three offer automatic parking and driving road features, and are available in the base version – available on models up to $219,800 ($30,078.69) – enabling autonomous driving on the highway. The driver must place his hands on the steering wheel and control it if necessary.
The more expensive Byd brand cars and their premium Denza and Yangwang brands will be equipped with two high-end versions. These will allow cars to drive autonomously in more complex urban traffic (although also under human supervision).
Byd's move to introduce its cheapest EV model to autonomous driving (as low as $9,555) has greatly weakened its competitors.
Analysts say it could launch a new price war in an already competitive market, comparing it to China's recent DeepSeek Angered the global AI sector Low price.
“The era of popularization of intelligent driving is here,” Nomura analysts wrote in a note on the BYD announcement.
Shares of Chinese automakers Xpeng and Geely Auto were on Tuesday on fears they would have a hard time competing with Byd's move.
Musk Tesla's Fresh Struggle
At a time when the automaker led by Elon Musk is already working to boost sales, BYD's disruptive moves could also have a profound blow to its closest rival Tesla.
Tesla has these ADA features in China, and its electric car costs $32,000. It charges $8,000 for all autonomous driving (FSD) driver assistant software in the U.S. ($99 per month subscription). FSD has not been used in China yet.
Tesla shares fell 3.8% on Tuesday [1621 GMT]on the wider Nasdaq Composite Index, the smaller 0.1% decreases by 0.1%.
With the consumer More and more alert to Musk's separatist politics. Tesla's stock has fallen more than 11% in the past five transactions.
By comparison, Bider's stock has risen nearly 17% in the past five transactions.
European Challenge
Bider's products may also weigh Tesla's sales in Europe A phenomenon known as “Tesla shame” This led to potential buyers and existing owners avoiding the former pioneer EV-Maker.
Byd already enjoys steep price profit margins in the European market compared to its local competitors, although its cargo volume also faces a 17% tariff.
However, in Europe, BYD ADAS technology will be available, and in Europe, autonomous driving regulations are stricter than in the United States. So far, Tesla's FSD technology is only partially available in the region.
Currently, Byd lists its Dolphin Compact EVs (also sold in Europe) on the list of models equipped with “Eye of God”.
- Vishakha Saxena, with Reuters
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