BYD To Include Tesla-Like Driver Assist in Its Cheapest Models 

One of Tesla’s biggest rivals at the moment is Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD. The company shocked the competition recently when it announced a new standard feature that will be included on most vehicles — advanced smart driving powered by DeepSeek AI.

While BYD previously said it wanted to take it slow with driver-assistance technology, it is now going all-in. The advanced smart driving system, known as DiPilot, will be a safety feature in its EVs just the same as air bags and seatbelts.

BYD is the first Chinese automaker to roll out the technology in EVs priced below 70,000 yuan (about $9,570). DeepSeek AI will make its way into the carmaker’s “God’s Eye” driver-assistance system, which minimizes the need for human interaction through the vehicle’s software, sensors, and various cameras.

“2025 will be the first year of intelligent driving for all,” said Chairman Wang Chuanfu, per CNN.

The EV market is a competitive one, especially in China. BYD needed a way to appeal to consumers and separate itself from rivals, and offering driver-assistance technology is one strategy to do that. Yet, for almost two years, the company’s leadership was uncomfortable with the uncertain liabilities that come with autonomous vehicles despite acknowledging the technology’s potential for enhanced safety.

BYD seems to have reversed that stance. Earlier this week, the EV maker introduced 20 models incorporated with driver assistance. However, it’s still unclear just where these vehicles will be available.

BYD vs. Tesla

Tesla is still working on getting its “Full-Self Driving” system fully launched in China. Despite Elon Musk’s announcement that Tesla EVs equipped with the technology could be in the country by the end of 2024, the company still has not jumped the regulatory hurdles for approval. Musk has since blamed U.S. and Chinese restrictions for the delayed rollout of a fully compliant system.

BYD may face its own regulatory issues, especially if the company wants to sell its EV models in the U.S. Controversy surrounding national security concerns related to DeepSeek AI may jeopardize the carmaker’s chances of getting approval in many Western markets. Other Chinese EV startups, specifically Geely, Great Wall Motor, and Leapmotor, also plan to use DeepSeek AI in vehicles.

BYD and Tesla are in a constant battle for dominance in the EV market. Currently, BYD ranks sixth in the world for EV sales and holds 32% of the market share in China. In the last quarter of 2024, BYD sold over 595,400 EVs globally, beating Tesla’s 495,570 units, according to Investor’s Business Daily.