China and Germany Expand Connected Vehicle Cooperation
Officials from both nations are deepening ties in intelligent vehicle technology and automated driving standards.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Automotive — General
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China and Germany are accelerating joint efforts in the development of intelligent connected vehicles following high-level meetings in Berlin and Beijing. The two nations are collaborating on research into frontier technologies like vision-language AI and integrated driver assistance systems.
Why it matters
This partnership addresses the global automotive industry's rapid transformation driven by digitalization, electrification, and the rise of artificial intelligence. By aligning on technical standards, both countries aim to strengthen their competitive positions in the evolving smart-vehicle market.
As of August 2026, there are 61 million passenger cars in China equipped with combined driver assistance systems, alongside 16 million units with 5G terminals and 2 million featuring C-V2X communication.
The players
Chery Holding Group Co., Ltd.
This Chinese automotive manufacturer has established research and development centers in Germany to advance its technological capabilities.
Mercedes-Benz
This German automaker is actively offering highway driver assistance features within the Chinese market.
BMW
This German automotive company is preparing to launch new customer deliveries for its iX3 model in November 2026.
The details
Automakers from both countries are expanding their integration by localizing procurement and sales operations while performing joint testing on advanced AI models. Companies such as Chery Holding Group have established new research centers in Germany to further this collaboration.
Timeline
A memorandum of understanding on intelligent connected vehicles was signed in 2018.
Metrics for connected vehicle equipment were recorded as of August 2026.
A plenary meeting between the two nations was held in Berlin in September 2026.
The World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference took place in Beijing from October 21-25, 2026.
BMW will begin customer deliveries of the iX3 model in November 2026.
Roadmap
This collaboration follows the framework established by the 2018 China-Germany memorandum of understanding on intelligent connected vehicles. It signifies an deepening alignment between the two nations as they race to integrate AI and automated driving standards into the global automotive value chain.
Drivers can expect increased availability of advanced driver assistance systems as manufacturers localize new technologies across the value chain. These cross-border standards may lead to more consistent automated driving features and cybersecurity protocols in future vehicle models.
The takeaway
The partnership demonstrates how global automakers are prioritizing cross-border technical standards to survive the transition to AI-driven transportation. Consumers should watch for a broader rollout of integrated 5G and C-V2X communication features in vehicles hitting the market next year.
Further reading
Learn more about global industry trends in Automotive — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News.
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