BYD plans to incorporate smart driving features across its entire lineup next year, aiming to boost sales amid diminishing returns from its price advantage. This strategic shift aligns with an increased focus on in-house technology development, as reported by Chinese media outlet 36Kr.
The initiative will cover models ranging from the low-cost BYD Seagull, priced around RMB 60,000 (approximately $8,360), to the premium Yangwang U8, priced near RMB 1 million, according to the report. This move underscores BYD’s ambition to make advanced driving technology accessible to a broader consumer base, extending from budget-friendly models to luxury segments. “We hope to have our smart driving system standard in models priced at or below RMB 150,000 within two to three years,” stated Zhang Zhuo, head of BYD’s Ocean series sales, earlier this year. On November 1, Zhang reiterated that even the Seagull will eventually offer these features.
BYD’s research and development team is reportedly working on an expedited schedule to achieve this goal, operating with limited weekends to accelerate the smart-driving program. The focus on intelligent driving technology represents a shift from BYD’s previous priorities on power technologies, now largely driven by founder and chairman Wang Chuanfu’s vision, who reportedly communicates with the technology research team frequently to ensure the pace of development.
BYD’s DiPilot smart driving platform will serve as the foundation for these new capabilities, with multiple levels of computing power tailored to different models. DiPilot 100, utilizing Nvidia’s Orin N chip and Horizon Robotics’ Journey 5 chip, provides entry-level functionality, while DiPilot 600, powered by two Nvidia Orin X chips, is intended for high-end models with a computing capacity of 508 TOPS. These platforms will enable Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) functionality, designed to support highway and urban driving, with the more advanced DiPilot 600 supporting NOA features in urban areas without the need for high-definition maps.
The rapid development in smart driving technology follows BYD’s significant organizational restructuring this year, which included forming a dedicated team focused on end-to-end AI model integration. As noted by local media outlet HiEV on October 21, BYD is targeting November for mass production of its proprietary smart driving algorithms.
As of October, BYD’s NEV sales reached 3.25 million units for the year, marking a 36.5% increase from the previous year. If monthly sales maintain recent levels, BYD is on track to reach a record 4.3 million units by the end of 2024, representing an estimated 42% year-over-year growth from 2023.
