Zeekr amps up the driver tech race to outpace Tesla
The Chinese brand Zeekr is introducing an advanced driver assistance system for free to attract customers amid increasing competition in the electric vehicle market. According to CNBC, this move is a response, among others, to Tesla's actions, which is also testing free access to its software.
The Chinese electric car manufacturer Zeekr announced that it will offer its advanced driver assistance system for free. The technology allows nearly autonomous driving between designated points, provided the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel. Initially, the features will be available in a pilot program and will be available more widely in April.
In an interview with CNBC, Zeekr President Andy An emphasized, "Right now, in this period of development, I think subscriptions aren’t that meaningful." He stressed that Zeekr needs to close the gap with market leaders and establish itself as a major competitor. Therefore, the company decided to cover the cost of this technology. "So we need to bear some cost," he noted.
The Zeekr system is based on two Nvidia Orin X chipsets and one lidar, which, as An explains, "may increase cost, but this reflects how much we value safety." The following system generation will use even more advanced Nvidia Thor chips and additional lidars.
The next stage of the battle
Zeekr is not the only player intensifying the technological rivalry. As reported by Chinese social media, Tesla is offering selected users free access to its Full Self-Driving system until mid-April.
According to CNBC, Zeekr also plans to expand its solutions to other brands within the Geely Group, including Lynk & Co., which it formally acquired this year.
Industry experts highlight a new phase of competition. According to Andrew Fan, the chief financial officer of lidar manufacturer Hesai, China's electric vehicle market has transitioned from a price war to a battle over driver assistance features.
Zeekr, listed on the US stock exchange, will publish its quarterly results on Thursday at 4:00 PM ET. Since the beginning of the year, the company's shares have gained about 6 percent.
