Tesla's China rival Zeekr to roll out advanced driver assistance-system for free

Tesla's China rival Zeekr to roll out advanced driver assistance-system for free

  • 18.03.2025 11:56
  • nbcnewyork.com
  • Keywords: danger, success

Chinese EV company Zeekr is offering advanced driver-assistance systems for free to compete in China's growing EV market, using Nvidia chips and lidar. The system will initially be tested with a pilot group before public release in April, potentially expanding to other brands like Lynk & Co.

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Estimated market influence

Zeekr

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Zeekr is rolling out advanced driver-assistance systems for free, enhancing their competitiveness in the Chinese EV market.

Nvidia

Nvidia

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: Strong buy

Nvidia's chips are being used by Zeekr and other EV brands, contributing to their revenue growth.

Context

Analysis of Zeekr's Advanced Driver-Assistance System Launch

Overview

  • Zeekr, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand, is offering an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) for free to local customers.
  • This move aims to compete with Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in China, where ADAS has become a key selling point for EVs.

Technical Specifications

  • Zeekr's ADAS uses:
    • Two Nvidia Orin X chipsets
    • One lidar unit for enhanced navigation capabilities.
  • Upcoming version will include:
    • Nvidia's Thor automotive chip
    • Four short-range lidars and one long-range lidar.

Rollout Plan

  • Initial rollout to a pilot group in January 2024.
  • Full public release planned for April 2024.
  • The system will also be integrated into vehicles from:
    • Fellow EV brand Lynk & Co.
    • Parent company Geely.

Market Trends and Competition

  • Nvidia's self-driving platforms contributed to a record $570 million in revenue during Q4 of the 2025 fiscal year.
  • Lidar shipments by major producer Hesai have more than doubled annually since 2021.
  • Competitor DeepBlue, another Chinese EV startup, has sold over 30,000 cars per month since November 2023, partly due to its advanced ADAS features.

Strategic Considerations

  • Free ADAS adoption reflects Zeekr's focus on customer safety and value differentiation in a competitive market.
  • The move may impact Tesla's FSD sales in China, where price sensitivity is high.
  • Use of lidar highlights the growing importance of sensors and AI processing units in autonomous driving technology.

Long-Term Implications

  • Free ADAS could drive customer preference for Zeekr vehicles, potentially altering market dynamics.
  • Increased adoption of advanced driver-assistance systems may lead to regulatory changes and safety standards updates.

This strategy underscores the evolving competitive landscape in China's EV sector, where technology and customer-centric innovations are key drivers of growth.