They entrust safety, driver assistance, and other key features to AI.

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are in a race to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) developed by DeepSeek, as the technology becomes a key differentiator in the competitive automotive market.

More than a dozen carmakers, including industry giants BYD, Geely, and Chery Automobile, have unveiled plans to embed DeepSeek’s AI into their vehicles, aiming to enhance autonomous driving capabilities and in-car digital experiences, the South China Morning Post reports.

DeepSeek, a Hangzhou-based AI startup, has gained global attention with its open-source AI models DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1. These models provide advanced chatbot functionalities and autonomous driving support at a fraction of the cost and computing power typically required by large language model (LLM) projects such as ChatGPT.

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BYD, China’s leading EV manufacturer, has announced the integration of DeepSeek into its Xuanji vehicle software platform. This move will allow BYD to offer preliminary self-driving capabilities across nearly all its models without increasing prices.

The company plans to equip at least 21 models, including the budget-friendly Seagull hatchback (priced at 69,800 yuan or $9,575), with its proprietary Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) enabling autonomous navigation on highways and self-parking functionalities.

Other major players, such as Great Wall Motor, SAIC Motor, and Leapmotor, have followed suit, incorporating DeepSeek AI into their digital cockpits.

The technology’s ability to improve infotainment, safety features, and interactive user experiences has made it a pivotal selling point.

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DeepSeek’s rapid expansion is not limited to EVs though.

The AI technology has also made its way into China’s electric scooter industry. Companies such as Segway-Ninebot and Niu Technologies have started embedding DeepSeek AI into their two-wheelers, offering AI-powered content creation, data analytics, intelligent voice interactions, and personalized service recommendations.

Niu Technologies, which began implementing DeepSeek’s large language models in early February, plans to use the AI for driver assistance systems, riding safety features, and AI-powered travel companions.

Yadea Group, the world’s largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer, also joined the movement.

Industry experts suggest that carmakers not adopting DeepSeek risk losing market share in China’s highly competitive EV landscape. The growing consumer demand for smart vehicles has intensified the race to offer enhanced digital and autonomous driving experiences.

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According to Zhang Yongwei, general secretary of China EV100 – an association of EV manufacturers, an estimated 15 million cars—or two-thirds of all new car sales in 2025—will feature preliminary autonomous driving systems.

China's EV sales reached approximately 11 million units in 2024, marking a 36.5% increase from the previous year, according to Reuters. Electric vehicles accounted for over 40% of all new car sales in China during 2024, reflecting the country's rapid shift towards electrification.

China's passenger car exports saw a notable rise of nearly 20% in 2024, totaling almost 5 million vehicles.

China manufactured approximately 31.3 million vehicles in total, with new energy vehicles (NEVs)—which include battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)—accounting for about 12.9 million units.

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