China has introduced new regulatory guidelines for the smart driving industry, aiming to enhance consumer protection and prevent misleading marketing as the adoption of intelligent vehicle features accelerates.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the guidelines on Friday, stating that companies must not exaggerate system capabilities or mislead consumers regarding the automation level of smart connected vehicles. “Companies must ensure that consumers properly understand and use smart connected car products,” the MIIT said in its statement.
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The regulations require that driver assistance systems include clear activation and deactivation strategies, with built-in risk mitigation measures to ensure safety if a driver fails to respond to alerts. Additionally, parking assistance features must be capable of detecting obstacles and road users, slowing or stopping the vehicle to avoid collisions.
Automakers must also report system failures and accidents involving driver assistance functions. “In the event of casualties or significant social impact, companies must submit accident details within 24 hours,” the guidelines state.
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The new rules come as smart driving technology becomes more prevalent in China’s auto industry. On February 10, BYD expanded its intelligent driving capabilities across 21 models, with chairman Wang Chuanfu predicting that high-level driver assistance features will soon be as standard as seatbelts and airbags. Meanwhile, Tesla recently rolled out a new software update in China, bringing advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD)-like capabilities to its vehicles.