BMW’s iX electrical SUV in China was the primary international automotive model to incorporate the auto model of Tencent’s WeChat messaging app, based on the Chinese language tech firm.
Tencent
BEIJING — Chinese language web large Tencent desires to promote know-how which the corporate says will assist overseas automakers that need to promote automobiles in China’s huge electrical car market.
BMW and a few U.S. automakers are already working with Tencent, Liu Shuquan, vice chairman of Tencent Clever Mobility, which is a part of Tencent’s cloud enterprise. Chatting with CNBC on Friday, he declined to specify which American carmakers it is working with.
In a transfer geared toward serving to increase its worldwide technique, Liu’s workforce launched a brand new cloud computing product for automakers known as the “Tencent Clever Car Cloud” on Friday.
The all-in-one cloud product — additionally obtainable for home automakers — can cowl all technological features of an electrical automotive, the corporate claimed. These options vary from storing knowledge in a approach optimized for coaching autonomous driving techniques, to giving drivers entry to Tencent’s social media and map apps.
The person interface could also be a promoting level for China’s drivers contemplating how Tencent dominates an array of the highest on-line leisure apps in China.
The corporate has performed the function of Fb in China with its ubiquitous WeChat messaging, funds and social media app — one thing tech rivals Baidu and Alibaba have but to come back near.
In leisure, Tencent has different apps as nicely: QQ Music, one of many two predominant Spotify-like apps in China; Tencent Video, which presents on-demand streaming content material together with actuality reveals and animated collection; in addition to fashionable cellular video games like Honor of Kings.
Tencent Maps is the third most-popular navigation app in Apple’s App retailer in China — the highest two belong to its key rivals Alibaba and Baidu.
All automobiles letting passengers or drivers entry Tencent apps from the car’s platforms must have an settlement with Tencent, Liu mentioned.
These app-level partnerships began in 2018, across the similar time Tencent Cloud started working with automakers for autonomous driving providers, the corporate mentioned.
Including extra self-driving tech
Gamers in China’s auto trade are increasingly betting that local drivers will want more autonomous driving features, that are primarily assisted-driving capabilities attributable to regulation of present know-how.
Already within the first quarter, 23% of latest automobiles bought in China got here with a restricted stage of assisted driving, referred to as “Level 2” in a classification system for autonomous driving, based on Tencent.
With the brand new cloud computing product introduced final week, Liu mentioned abroad automotive corporations may develop automobiles with navigation and assisted-driving options personalized for China’s roads and terrain.
“The info is owned by [the] OEM, the patron,” Liu mentioned, referring to unique gear producers which give parts and elements for one more firm’s product.
“We simply present cloud service to retailer that knowledge. The second factor is we offer an entire ecosystem. That ecosystem not solely embody[s] our personal service and content material but in addition our companions’.”
Liu mentioned his firm already companions with practically 40 auto manufacturers, together with BMW, SAIC and Nio, protecting 120 car fashions. He additionally famous partnership talks with German and Japanese corporations.
BMW didn’t instantly reply to a CNBC request for remark. SAIC and Nio representatives spoke at Friday’s launch occasion for the “Tencent Clever Car Cloud” product.
