Journey through China's auto industry news, as reported by foreign media, Cao Li, the senior vice president of Zero Auto, stated that the company plans to launch models equipped with its intelligent driving technology in Europe next year. This marks the first time a Chinese automaker has explicitly set a timeline for the deployment of advanced driver-assistance systems overseas. This move comes at a crucial time when various car manufacturers are vying for an edge in the fiercely competitive electric vehicle and long-range hybrid vehicle market.

Cao Li stated that Leapmotor will also establish a research and development team in Europe, focusing on training autonomous driving system algorithms based on local road data, but did not disclose the specific office location of the team. He said, "I believe the biggest challenge lies in the differences between overseas road conditions and traffic regulations compared to China. We need a large amount of data and an understanding of local regulations to conduct adaptive training tailored to the local road conditions."

Leapmotor B10; Image source: Leapmotor Automotive

In early March, Leapmotor launched pre-sales for its B10 SUV in China, with a starting price of 109,800 yuan (approximately $15,115). The version equipped with lidar and urban navigation features starts at 129,800 yuan (approximately $17,870).

Leap Motor plans to upgrade its new B10 model with urban navigation autonomous driving features through an over-the-air (OTA) software update by the end of this year. Cao Li stated that this function is "equivalent to the traditional definition of Level 3 autonomous driving."

However, Cao Li stated that the OTA upgrade for B10 still needs to be approved by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. According to the new regulations, OTA upgrades related to autonomous driving must obtain regulatory approval. "We need to apply for approval at least one or two months in advance," he added.

Cao Li also revealed that the second model of Leapmotor's "B series" will be unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.

In 2023, Stellantis invested $1.6 billion in Leap Motor and acquired a 21% stake, with both parties establishing a joint venture called "Leap International," in which Stellantis holds a 51% stake. According to reports, the two companies are inclined to start producing the B10 model for the European market in Spain starting next year.

As Leap Motor accelerates its layout of intelligent driving models in Europe, it coincides with Chinese car companies, led by BYD, competing to launch affordable electric vehicles equipped with highway autonomous driving and parking assistance features. Zeekr and Xpeng have also announced plans to sell L3-level autonomous driving models.

It is reported that Level 3 autonomous driving not only allows the vehicle to drive itself but also permits the driver to release the steering wheel, requiring the driver to take over whenever the system prompts. In contrast, Tesla's current system and other Level 2 autonomous driving features still require the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel.