BEIJING — Chinese language web large Tencent needs to promote know-how which the corporate says will assist international automakers that need to promote automobiles in China’s large electrical car market.
BMW and a few U.S. automakers are already working with Tencent, Liu Shuquan, vp 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 aimed toward serving to enhance its worldwide technique, Liu’s group launched a brand new cloud computing product for automakers known as the “Tencent Clever Vehicle Cloud” on Friday.
The all-in-one cloud product — additionally out there for home automakers — can cowl all technological features of an electrical automobile, the corporate claimed. These options vary from storing information in a manner optimized for coaching autonomous driving methods, to giving drivers entry to Tencent’s social media and map apps.
The consumer 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 return near.
In leisure, Tencent has different apps as effectively: QQ Music, one of many two foremost Spotify-like apps in China; Tencent Video, which gives on-demand streaming content material together with actuality exhibits and animated sequence; in addition to well-liked 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 more and more betting that native drivers will need extra autonomous driving options, that are basically assisted-driving features resulting from regulation of present know-how.
Already within the first quarter, 23% of recent automobiles bought in China got here with a restricted stage of assisted driving, known as “Degree 2” in a classification system for autonomous driving, in response to Tencent.
With the brand new cloud computing product introduced final week, Liu mentioned abroad automobile firms may develop automobiles with navigation and assisted-driving options personalized for China’s roads and terrain.
“The information is owned by [the] OEM, the buyer,” Liu mentioned, referring to authentic tools producers which give parts and components for an additional firm’s product.
“We simply present cloud service to retailer that information. The second factor is we offer an entire ecosystem. That ecosystem not solely embody[s] our personal service and content material but additionally our companions’.”
Liu mentioned his firm already companions with practically 40 auto manufacturers, together with BMW, SAIC and Nio, overlaying 120 car fashions. He additionally famous partnership talks with German and Japanese firms.
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 Vehicle Cloud” product.
China is the world’s largest auto market, by which electrical automobile gross sales have surged. Authorities subsidies have helped enhance progress within the trade, and the federal government can also be making it simpler for drivers to get license plates for automobiles powered by electrical energy than gasoline.
Aside from Tesla, home manufacturers like BYD have dominated the brand new vitality car class, which incorporates hybrid and battery-powered automobiles. In Could, the China Passenger Automotive Affiliation famous “preliminary success‘’ for Volkswagen’s push towards electrification.
China is the German auto large’s largest single market. By 2030, Volkswagen goals for half of its gross sales to return from battery-electric automobiles.