China bans 'smart' and 'autonomous' driving terms from vehicle ads
中国禁止在汽车广告中使用"智能"和"自动驾驶"措辞
SHANGHAI, April 17 (Reuters) - China is banning automakers from using the terms "smart driving" and "autonomous driving" when they advertise driving assistance features, and it will tighten scrutiny of such technology upgrades.
路透社上海4月17日电 中国将禁止汽车制造商在宣传驾驶辅助功能时使用"智能驾驶"和"自动驾驶"等措辞,并将加强对相关技术升级的审查。
The mandate on vehicle advertising was delivered by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in its meeting with nearly 60 representatives from automakers on Wednesday, according to a transcript seen by Reuters and confirmed by one of the attendees.
根据路透社看到的一份会议纪要和一位与会者确认的信息显示,工业和信息化部周三在与近60家汽车制造商代表举行的会议上传达了关于车辆广告的这项规定。
The move follows a fatal accident involving Xiaomi's (1810.HK)
, opens new tab best-selling SU7 sedan in March that triggered widespread concerns over vehicle safety.
此举源于今年3月小米(1810.HK)畅销车型SU7发生的一起致命事故,该事件引发了公众对车辆安全的广泛担忧。
Preliminary findings showed the Xiaomi car caught fire after hitting a cement roadside pole at a speed of 97 kph (60 mph) seconds after its driver took over control from the advanced driving assistance system (ADAS).
初步调查显示,在驾驶员接管高级驾驶辅助系统(ADAS)控制权数秒后,该小米汽车以97公里/小时的速度撞上路侧水泥隔离桩并起火。
The ministry confirmed the meeting in a short statement that said it provided clarity to automakers about new requirements published in February involving driving-related over-the-air technology upgrades of intelligent and connected vehicles.
工信部通过简短声明证实了会议召开,称会议向汽车制造商明确了今年2月发布的涉及智能网联汽车驾驶相关空中升级技术(OTA)的新要求。
Under the updated rule, automakers are no longer allowed to test and improve their ADAS via remote software updates for vehicles already delivered to customers without approval, according to the meeting transcript.
根据会议纪要,规定更新后,车企将不再被允许在未经审批的情况下,通过远程软件更新对已交付车辆的高级辅助驾驶系统(ADAS)功能进行测试和优化。
They are now required to carry out enough tests to verify reliability and to obtain approval from the authorities before such roll-outs.
新规明确企业必须进行充分测试以验证可靠性,并在推出前获得监管部门批准。
Huawei, which supplies its ADAS to at least seven brands including Audi in China, was among the firms that attended the meeting, according to the transcript.
会议纪要显示,为奥迪等至少七个品牌提供ADAS技术的华为参加了此次会议。
The regulatory move comes as automakers have been rushing to launch new models equipped with ADAS, touting the "smart driving" capability as a key selling point to battle a brutal price war that has extended into the third year in the world's largest auto market.
这一监管举措出台之际,汽车制造商正争相推出配备ADAS的新车型,将"智能驾驶"能力作为关键卖点,以应对全球最大汽车市场已延续至第三年的残酷价格战。
BYD (002594.SZ)
, opens new tab escalated the competition in February when it rolled out at least 21 affordable models priced from less than $10,000 that are equipped with free "smart driving" features. Many of its peers including Leapmotor (9863.HK), opens new tab and Toyota (7203.T)
, opens new tab followed suit, introducing affordable vehicles with similar features.
比亚迪(002594.SZ)在2月推出至少21款1万美元以下且配备免费"智能驾驶"功能的入门车型,将竞争推向白热化。零跑汽车(9863.HK)、丰田(7203.T)等多家竞争对手也纷纷效仿,推出配备类似功能的平价车型。
The Chinese regulators are tightening the scrutiny on electric vehicle technologies as the industry has grown faster than expected, with sales of EVs and hybrids accounting for more than half of total vehicle sales late last year, a milestone achieved ahead of policymakers' schedule.
中国监管部门正在加强对电动汽车技术的监管。该行业发展速度超出预期:去年年末电动汽车和混动车销量已占汽车总销量的一半以上,这一里程碑比政策制定者预期提前实现。
The regulators are also tightening regulations on EV battery standards, aiming to reduce risks of fire and explosions.
监管部门还正在收紧电动汽车电池标准,旨在降低起火和爆炸风险。
Analysts and industry sources cautioned the stricter regulatory rules would increase costs and slow the pace of technology development and adoption. But it could also accelerate a long-overdue consolidation in China's crowded auto industry that has been grappling with overcapacity, they added.
分析师和业内人士警告称,监管趋严将增加成本,延缓技术开发和应用速度。但他们补充说,这也可能加速中国拥挤的汽车行业长期亟需的整合进程,该行业一直饱受产能过剩困扰。