China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has mandated that automakers refrain from using terms like "automatic driving" in their marketing efforts. Instead, automakers must align their descriptions with the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) classification system, which ranges from Level 0 (no autonomy) to Level 5 (full autonomy).
- Testing Restrictions: Public, on-road beta testing now requires official approval.
- Driver Monitoring: Systems must detect when a driver's hands leave the wheel for more than 60 seconds, prompting safety measures such as reducing speed or pulling over.
- Software Updates: Emergency updates necessitate vehicle recalls approved by regulators, aiming to limit frequent over-the-air updates.
This regulatory clampdown follows a tragic crash on March 29, involving a Xiaomi SU7 sedan in autopilot mode, which resulted in three fatalities. Despite the driver taking control before the crash, the incident highlights the urgency of these regulations.
The new rules impact not only Xiaomi but also major players like Xpeng, Li Auto, Nio, and even Tesla. Tesla's U.S. Level 2 system, misleadingly referred to as "Full Self-Driving," operates with a similar model.
At Auto Shanghai 2025, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius emphasized the importance of honest communication. Mercedes, approved for Level 3 testing in Beijing, remains committed to transparency about its technologies.
China's decisive action on the marketing and testing of self-driving technologies aims for greater clarity and safety. While impacting major tech leaders, it's expected to foster clearer communication regarding automated driving capabilities.
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