Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), one of China’s prominent automakers, has announced its commitment to assuming full responsibility for the safety of Level 4 autonomous vehicles developed in collaboration with ride-hailing company Didi Global. This announcement was made during the Shanghai Auto Show, where the company showcased its ambitions in the rapidly advancing field of autonomous driving technology.
According to reports from Chinese media, GAC emphasized that this pledge reflects its confidence in the safety systems and performance of its upcoming self-driving models. These vehicles are being developed through GAC’s new energy vehicle subsidiary, Aion, and will feature Level 4 automation—a classification where the car can operate without human input in designated conditions or environments.
Huang Yongqiang, an executive at GAC, indicated that these autonomous models will undergo public demonstrations starting next year in designated zones within Guangzhou and Beijing. The partnership with Didi Global plays a central role in this initiative, leveraging the ride-hailing company’s vast data and operational insights to enhance the practical deployment of the technology in urban environments.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in China’s autonomous vehicle landscape. While several global automakers and tech firms have advanced their own Level 4 projects, GAC’s public declaration to accept liability represents a bold and notable stance. It signals a high degree of trust in the robustness of its autonomous systems and may influence broader public and regulatory confidence in the technology.
Level 4 autonomy stands just one step below full automation (Level 5), offering capabilities such as navigating complex environments and handling driving tasks without driver intervention under specific conditions. Vehicles in this category are expected to play a major role in the future of urban mobility, particularly in structured settings like ride-hailing fleets, corporate campuses, or geo-fenced city zones.
GAC’s move also aligns with China’s broader strategic focus on intelligent mobility and green energy transportation. As one of the fastest-growing markets for electric and autonomous vehicles, China is pushing forward policies and infrastructure development to support these innovations.
With the upcoming demonstrations in Guangzhou and Beijing, GAC and Didi are poised to gather valuable real-world data that will help shape the commercial and regulatory path for autonomous vehicle deployment in the country.
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