Key Points
- Chinese self-driving tech companies are expanding aggressively into Europe.
- Several major Chinese companies are establishing headquarters and partnerships in Europe.
- The move is raising concerns about competition among European rivals.
- Some believe the Chinese competition will help accelerate Europe’s own self-driving industry.
Blocked from the U.S. market by national security concerns, Chinese self-driving technology companies are now making a major push into Europe. They are setting up headquarters, striking data deals, and testing their cars on European roads, a move that is already raising alarm bells among their local rivals.
In China, the world’s largest car market, self-driving technology is already mainstream, with over half of all new cars sold offering some form of autonomous driving. Now, Beijing is pushing its companies to take that technology global, and Europe is its first target. “We’re focusing on Europe for our global future,” said the CTO of Chinese startup QCraft, citing a more “open” environment than the United States.
Several major Chinese firms are already making moves. QCraft has announced plans for a new German headquarters. Deeproute.ai is planning a European data center. And Momenta, which already supplies tech to GM and Toyota, is partnering with Uber to start testing its most advanced technology in Germany next year.
This mirrors the same strategy Chinese electric vehicle makers used to break into the European market, and it’s creating a mix of fear and opportunity.
Some European rivals are calling for protectionist policies and stricter oversight, as they worry they may struggle to compete. Others, however, view the new competition as a positive development, arguing that it will accelerate Europe’s lagging progress in self-driving technology.
