Tech Brief (Sept. 24): Mercedes-Benz, ByteDance Partner on In-Car AI
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Mercedes-Benz, ByteDance partner on in-car AI
Mercedes-Benz’s China arm and ByteDance Ltd. have upgraded their partnership to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in areas such as smart cockpits and autonomous driving, the companies announced Sept. 23. The move expands on a 2023 collaboration with ByteDance’s cloud service unit Volcano Engine. The first Mercedes-Benz electric CLA model featuring ByteDance’s Doubao large language model is set to launch this year.
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- Mercedes-Benz China and ByteDance have deepened their AI partnership, with the first electric CLA model using ByteDance’s Doubao LLM launching in 2024.
- Huawei-backed Shangjie launched its cheapest car, the H5, starting at 159,800 yuan, garnering over 10,000 orders within one hour.
- Regulators summoned Lalamove for compliance with anti-monopoly laws; Amap announced entry fee waivers and subsidies for restaurant merchants.
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Who’s Who
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mercedes-Benz's China branch and ByteDance Ltd. have intensified their collaboration to advance AI integration in smart cockpits and autonomous driving. This builds on a 2023 partnership with ByteDance's Volcano Engine. The first Mercedes-Benz electric CLA, featuring ByteDance's Doubao large language model, is scheduled for release this year.
- ByteDance Ltd.
- ByteDance Ltd. is upgrading its partnership with Mercedes-Benz's China arm to integrate AI technology into smart cockpits and autonomous driving. This expands on a 2023 collaboration with ByteDance's Volcano Engine cloud service unit. Their Doubao large language model will launch in the first Mercedes-Benz electric CLA model this year.
- Volcano Engine
- Volcano Engine is ByteDance's cloud service unit. In 2023, it initially collaborated with Mercedes-Benz's China arm, focusing on integrating AI technology into smart cockpits and autonomous driving. This partnership has since been upgraded to further advance these areas.
- Huawei
- A new brand within Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility alliance, Shangjie, launched its first model, the H5. This is the cheapest vehicle to date in the Huawei-backed ecosystem, with prices ranging from 159,800 yuan to 199,800 yuan. The H5 secured over 10,000 firm orders within its first hour.
- Shangjie
- Shangjie is a new brand within Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility alliance. It launched its first model, the H5, on September 23, making it the cheapest vehicle in the Huawei-backed ecosystem. The H5 has extended-range and all-electric versions, priced between 159,800 yuan and 199,800 yuan. It secured over 10,000 orders in its first hour, with deliveries starting in late September.
- Lalamove
- Lalamove, a logistics platform, was summoned by the State Administration for Market Regulation on September 23. The regulator ordered Lalamove to comply with the Anti-Monopoly Law and ensure fair competition to protect drivers' and consumers' rights. Lalamove stated it would immediately rectify the issues.
- Amap
- Amap, a navigation platform, is actively trying to attract restaurant merchants by waiving annual entry fees for one year. They are also offering significant financial incentives, including 950 million yuan ($130.5 million) in consumer subsidies and 200 million yuan in travel subsidies, in addition to traffic subsidies.
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What Happened When
- 2023：
- Mercedes-Benz’s China arm began a collaboration with ByteDance’s cloud service unit Volcano Engine.
- 2025：
- The first Mercedes-Benz electric CLA model featuring ByteDance’s Doubao large language model is set to launch.
- Sept. 23, 2025：
- Mercedes-Benz’s China arm and ByteDance Ltd. announced an upgraded partnership to accelerate AI integration in smart cockpits and autonomous driving.
- Sept. 23, 2025：
- Shangjie, a Huawei-backed brand, launched its first model, the H5, the cheapest vehicle in the Huawei-backed ecosystem.
- Sept. 23, 2025：
- The State Administration for Market Regulation summoned logistics platform Lalamove and ordered compliance with the Anti-Monopoly Law.
- Sept. 23, 2025：
- Lalamove responded to the summons, stating it would immediately carry out rectification.
- Sept. 23, 2025：
- Navigation platform Amap announced it will waive the annual entry fee for one year for all restaurant merchants joining its platform and introduced various subsidies.
- Late September 2025：
- Deliveries of Shangjie H5 are slated to begin.
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