Hey there, road-trippers and urban commuters! 🚗✨ Forget the more-is-better gadget game—automakers from the Chinese mainland are flipping the script. At the 2025 World Smart Industry Expo, industry leaders agreed that stacking screens and features (the so-called cockpit wars) is turning cars into info overload machines rather than user-friendly rides.
Three years ago, cars had about 300 functions. Last year? A mind-blowing 30,000 🤯. But real drivers probably only need around 20. So what's the fix? Smarter delivery. Think of your car as an active buddy that predicts your needs—adjusting the AC before you sweat through Jakarta traffic or suggesting a playlist when you're stuck in Mumbai's jam-packed streets.
Business models are evolving too. Basic stuff like climate control stays standard, while premium features (say, heated seats or advanced navigation) become subscription add-ons—think Spotify but for your ride. You pay only for what you use, brands save on upfront costs, and everyone wins with ongoing service revenue.
AI is the next gear—powering personal assistants that learn your commute habits. But yo, AI needs serious computing power and clean data, which stirs up privacy and security questions. Li Wenbo from Chongqing University recommends a hybrid setup: sensitive decisions stay local on your car's processor, while the cloud tackles heavy-duty tasks that don't touch personal info. Privacy level unlocked 🔒✅.
Trust is another speed bump. Autonomous driving tech has come far, but many of us still feel jittery about handing over the wheel. The cure? Radical transparency. Clear demos of how safety systems work, user-involved testing, and real-world proof. Geely's Zhang Zhenxing showed how his team ran cars through 34 intense scenarios—from heavy snow to weaving through aggressive traffic—to train smarter algorithms and boost confidence.
True user-first cars aren't just for one market. To conquer roads from Bangkok to Bengaluru, automakers must tweak rides for local regs, road conditions, and cultural vibes. Here's where the Chinese mainland's China Merchants Testing Vehicle Technology Research Institute steps in—offering testing, certification, and a voice in shaping global standards. 🌏🔧
The era of selling cars is shifting to delivering services and experiences. Ready for a ride that gets you? Buckle up—the future of driving is all about you. 💡🚘
Reference(s):
Chinese automakers shift focus from tech features to user experience
cgtn.com
