KATHMANDU: Blocked from the U.S. market, Chinese self-driving technology companies are expanding rapidly in Europe, Reuters reports.
They are opening offices, signing data deals and testing autonomous vehicles, raising competition concerns among local firms.
China is already the world’s biggest car market and more than half of cars sold there now include some form of autonomous technology. The Chinese government wants its companies to lead globally in this field and has introduced clear national rules to support development.
QCraft, a Beijing-based startup, is setting up its European headquarters in Germany and plans to sell its driver-assistance systems in Europe within two years.
Other major Chinese firms such as Deeproute.ai, Momenta, Baidu, WeRide and Pony.ai are making similar moves.
Momenta, which works with Toyota, GM and Mercedes-Benz, plans to start testing Level-4 self-driving technology with Uber in Germany next year. Level-4 systems can drive for long periods without human help.
Analysts say Europe offers a more open environment than the U.S., though rules still vary by country. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for unified regulations to help Europe catch up with the U.S. and China.
Some European startups are calling for stronger oversight and fair competition, while others believe Chinese competition could speed up innovation.
Experts say Chinese firms are turning to Europe because it is one of the few major markets open to them after U.S. restrictions on Chinese connected-car technology.
For now, Europe’s own self-driving projects remain limited, with testing allowed mainly in Germany and the UK. The EU is working to harmonize rules to support wider adoption and help local firms compete globally.
