Buffett-backed BYD to use Baidu Apollo’s autonomous driving technology in its EVs as it raises its game against Tesla, domestic rivals

Name: Behind the scenes at BYD Auto: China’s biggest electric vehicle factory
Uploaded: 2022-03-01T11:30:14.000Z
Duration: 1 min 47 s
Description: Behind the scenes at BYD Auto: China’s biggest electric vehicle factory

Artificial intelligence giant Baidu will supply its Apollo Navigation Pilot smart driving services and products, according to two sources

It marks an important step for Beijing-based Baidu as it strives to commercialise its Apollo self-driving technologies after nearly five year of development

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BYD, established in 1995 as a battery manufacturer, has evolved into the mainland’s largest new-energy vehicle maker. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Daniel Ren

Published: 7:30pm, 1 Mar 2022

BYD, China’s biggest electric vehicle (EV) builder by sales, will enlist the help of Baidu’s autonomous driving technology to make its cars more intelligent as it raises its game against Tesla and domestic rivals.

The Shenzhen-based maker of batteries and cars, which is 7.9 per cent owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, has picked Baidu, China’s biggest search engine and artificial intelligence company, to supply its ANP (Apollo Navigation Pilot) smart driving services and products, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter.

The two companies, which already have a joint venture in the EV arena, are expected to announce the new partnership this week.

It will be an important step for Beijing-based Baidu too, as it strives to commercialise its Apollo self-driving technologies after nearly five year of development.

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Behind the scenes at BYD Auto: China’s biggest electric vehicle factory

“BYD’s EVs have a good reputation for their batteries and battery management system, but they have to catch up with Tesla and domestic smart EV start-ups in autonomous driving and other digital technologies fitted in the next-generation of cars,” said Chen Jinzhu, CEO of Shanghai Mingliang Auto Service. “With advanced and sophisticated autonomous driving technologies, the vehicles can move up the value chain and be priced higher.”

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