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Daniel Ren

China’s electric vehicles (EVs) already lead the way in terms of battery and autonomous driving technologies. Now, the country’s auto brands are adding a new dimension to the notion of intelligent cars: turning them into full-scale entertainment centres.
A new wave of Chinese-developed EVs is hitting the market equipped with everything from voice-activated artificial intelligence (AI) assistants, to headlights that double up as film projectors and karaoke systems. Some even feature immersive digital cockpits with integrated virtual reality technology.
The gadget-laden vehicles are designed to appeal to a younger generation of Chinese drivers, as the country’s EV makers seek to innovate their way out of a sales downturn in the domestic market.
“Intelligent features are propelling sales because of young Chinese drivers’ willingness to embrace new technologies,” said Zhao Zhen, a sales director at Shanghai-based dealer Wan Zhuo Auto.
“More importantly, Chinese carmakers, technology firms and auto component suppliers are able to respond to market demand quickly and their in-vehicle entertainment facilities are becoming more affordable to consumers.”
The Chinese auto industry’s collective effort to create more autonomous, intelligent EVs has helped China’s brands stand out from their global competitors, according to consultancy AlixPartners.
A new breed of hi-tech headlights provides a vivid snapshot of how China’s firms are shaking up the car industry.
Some premium models – fitted with a smart lighting system powered by micro-LED technology – can project films, video games and animations. They can also beam navigation arrows onto the road to ensure smooth driving.
“The lighting systems have similarities with consumer electronics products, where we believe Chinese companies will gain an edge over international rivals in terms of technological development and production,” said Liu Yibo, deputy director of research and development with Shenzhen Sitan Technology.
“Buoyed by its vast market size and fast growth, China’s intelligent EV market is creating a big opportunity for us.”

Sitan, a developer and maker of micro-LED displays, has a production base in the city of Xiamen on China’s southeastern coastline, where it is able to churn out 10 million units a year. It plans to build a second factory in the city to meet rising demand.
The start-up now provides micro-LED modules – containing LED controller chips and microscopic LEDs – to first-tier automotive supply-chain vendors. It also supplies micro-LED displays to AI glasses makers.
Micro-LED was expected to be the future of display technology due to its higher brightness, better colour accuracy and longer lifespan, Liu said during a government-organised tour of Sitan’s facility last week.
In the global advanced display market, Sitan is looking to take on US-based Texas Instruments, the developer of digital light processing (DLP) chips – a cutting-edge technology that uses millions of tiny mirrors to produce precise, clear images.
“As Chinese companies and consumers redefine the role of an intelligent car, lots of new China-made premium EVs now come with those smart features to lure customers,” said Phate Zhang, founder of Shanghai-based industry data provider CnEVPost.
“Chinese supply-chain vendors also successfully managed costs to benefit consumers.”
The cost of building smart cars has fallen significantly in China over recent years, as technology has progressed and production has surged, according to analysts.
On the Chinese mainland, even electric cars priced as low as 60,000 yuan (US$8,898) are fitted with preliminary self-driving systems, since advanced driver-assistance systems are becoming increasingly affordable to auto assemblers.
Earlier this month, BYD, the world’s largest EV maker, partnered with Canadian music and tech firm Stingray to offer in-car karaoke systems in its vehicles.
Analysts said the tie-up could turn karaoke systems into a must-have feature for Chinese premium EVs in the near future.
Meanwhile, China’s technology and auto-parts suppliers are looking to establish leading positions in the international market, as they are able to command higher prices overseas.
Liu said the net profit margins for Sitan’s exported products could be twice as high as those for its displays sold in the Chinese mainland.
Wu Zuomin, head of international business at Beijing-based premium EV maker Li Auto, said in April that Chinese-developed intelligent cars were also being well received by young consumers abroad, although they still trailed market leaders such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz in terms of brand awareness.


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China’s carmakers are competing to turn their vehicles into digital entertainment hubs, offering everything from film projectors to VR features


China’s carmakers are competing to turn their vehicles into digital entertainment hubs, offering everything from film projectors to VR features.


Karaoke in the car? China’s new wave of gadget-laden electric vehicles

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}China’s carmakers are competing to turn their vehicles into digital entertainment hubs, offering everything from film projectors to VR features

China’s carmakers are competing to turn their vehicles into digital entertainment hubs, offering everything from film projectors to VR features