Geely Expands AI-Powered Pilot System Across All Brands
Geely Auto, China's second-largest carmaker, will integrate its artificial intelligence-powered pilot system into vehicles across all its brands, including Galaxy, Zeekr, and Lynk.
The company announced in a virtual briefing on Monday that its G-Pilot technology will enable cars to navigate highways and perform self-parking. With this move, Geely becomes the second major Chinese carmaker to offer self-driving technology across its entire lineup.
"As an industry leader in AI technologies for smart vehicles, Geely Auto Group is committed to promoting greater utilisation of smart technologies among the wider public," said Gan Jiayue, CEO of the company’s passenger car subsidiary.
Last month, BYD, the world's largest electric carmaker, announced it would include an autopilot system in nearly all its vehicles at no additional cost. At least 21 models, including the Seagull hatchback, priced at 69,800 yuan (USD 9,583), will feature its advanced driver-assistance system.
"Geely’s push for autonomous driving and vehicle intelligence will ratchet up pressure on market leader BYD as the two top EV makers in China compete on the technology front," said Gao Shen, an independent analyst in Shanghai. "Both companies have a diverse product portfolio and can build vehicles for each price spectrum."
In 2024, Geely delivered 2.18 million vehicles, including petrol-powered cars and EVs, making it the second-largest carmaker in China behind BYD. In the first two months of 2025, Geely delivered 471,647 cars, marking a 45% increase from the previous year.
BYD delivered 4.27 million pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2024, a 41.3% increase from the previous year. The company surpassed Volkswagen to become China's largest carmaker, including both EVs and petroleum-powered vehicles. In the fourth quarter of 2024, 7.8% of BYD’s deliveries were outside mainland China.
Geely’s parent company also owns Volvo Cars and holds a stake in Mercedes-Benz Group.
Paul Gong, head of China auto research at UBS, predicted that 2025 will see the "democratisation of high-end, autonomous-driving systems" in mainstream vehicles as carmakers enhance their technological capabilities to gain a competitive edge.
According to Zhang Yongwei, general secretary of China EV100, around 15 million new cars—two-thirds of national sales in 2025—will be equipped with preliminary autonomous-driving systems. These vehicles will feature at least Level 2 self-driving capabilities, including steering, acceleration, and deceleration, but will still require driver intervention.
Geely will integrate its AI-powered pilot system into all its brands, including Galaxy, Zeekr, and Lynk.
The G-Pilot system enables highway navigation and self-parking.
BYD recently announced it would include an autopilot system in nearly all its vehicles for free.
Source: SCMP