As automotive applied sciences mature, producers are revising how they current driver-assistance techniques. The once-prominent phrase “autonomous driving” is more and more being changed with extra exact terminology like “assisted driving,” reflecting rising regulatory scrutiny and a stronger emphasis on security.
Automotive gross sales representatives at showrooms now describe options as “L2-level assisted driving,” persistently noting that drivers should stay attentive. Throughout the current 2025 Labour Day week-long vacation in China, a number of new vitality car manufacturers scaled again promotional references to autonomous features, as a substitute highlighting points comparable to trip consolation, inside house, and infotainment capabilities.
This shift aligns with up to date steering from China’s Ministry of Business and Info Expertise (MIIT), issued on April 16, 2025. The MIIT prohibits deceptive claims about autonomous driving and requires automakers to reveal system limitations and dangers. This got here after three college students died in a March 29 crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 utilizing Navigation on Autopilot. Information reveals a collision at 97 km/h after driver warnings.
Xiaomi, amongst others, has revised its product descriptions accordingly. On its SU7 ordering web page, “autonomous driving” has been changed with “assisted driving.” The Xiaomi Pilot Professional system is now labelled “Xiaomi Assisted Driving Professional,” whereas the HAD system known as “end-to-end assisted driving.” Official supplies present restricted technical particulars, stating that the techniques assist freeway eventualities.
Different automakers have adopted related approaches. References to autonomous options have disappeared primarily from promoting and showroom supplies. At manufacturers like NIO, XPeng, Li Auto, and Avatr, gross sales groups now emphasise that superior driver-assistance techniques (ADAS) are categorised as L2 and require full driver supervision.
In some circumstances, firms have launched supplemental insurance coverage merchandise, comparable to XPeng’s “ADAS insurance coverage,” to cowl potential incidents associated to assisted driving. Huawei’s Aito M9 nonetheless promotes its ADS options however now consists of clearer disclaimers stating the system serves solely as driver assist.
On the 2025 Shanghai Auto Present, executives from a number of firms acknowledged the necessity for extra correct public data. Huawei’s Yu Chengdong reiterated that drivers should stay engaged. XPeng’s He Xiaopeng has stopped utilizing the time period “autonomous driving” in favour of “clever assisted driving.” Leaders at Changan and GAC emphasised that every one their techniques stay firmly throughout the L2 classification.
The transfer away from broad or ambiguous phrases alerts a extra cautious and controlled section for driver-assistance applied sciences. As rules and techniques evolve, automakers are below rising stress to speak capabilities precisely. This transition displays an industry-wide shift towards accountability and clearer shopper expectations after three died from the SU7 accident on March 29.
Supply: IT-Dwelling
