Honda partners with Alibaba on connected cars as market set to soar to US$10.5b
Alibaba reportedly extends partnership with Honda in connected cars as foreign automakers tie up with Chinese technology companies to tailor services for local consumers
Honda Motor will partner with Alibaba Group to develop services for connected cars as global automakers partner with Chinese internet companies to cater to local needs of consumers in the world’s biggest auto market.
The operating system for connected cars is seen as the next battleground for both internet companies and automakers. At stake is the time – and potential spending power – of a captive audience of vehicle occupants, especially if autonomous driving frees up their time and attention to be able to consumer more digital services while on the road.
The total market size for connected vehicles will more than double to US$10.5 billion by 2021 from last year, according to IDC, the industry researcher.
Connected car raises prospect of stress-free daily commute
Landing Honda as a partner would help Alibaba extend its connected-cars business, which it kick-started in 2016 with an internet-connected car with China’s biggest automaker, SAIC Motor. Alibaba’s YunOS would compete with platforms such as Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto in delivering a suite of services from music to navigation for in-vehicle use. Tencent Holdings and Guangzhou Auto agreed to collaborate on internet-connected cars, while Baidu is working with Hyundai to develop similar technology.
Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
