Nation sets path for automated technology
Chinese officials and experts urged improvements to regulations in the sector and called for the establishment of cross-ministry cooperation on automated and connected vehicles, specifically autonomous driving technologies. Changan Automobile has just conducted an autonomous driving test from Chongqing to Beijing, after BMW and Baidu's joint test in December in Beijing.
Technically, these tests on public roads are illegal in China, because current regulations prohibit drivers taking hands off the steering wheel. In contrast, surveys have found high acceptance among Chinese people of the new technologies. But to advance the technology, carmakers and institutes need to work in a favorable environment, at least validating the insurance. The majority of the similar tests were conducted by international carmakers in the United States.
Corruption-marred carmakers name new heads
Top executives at FAW Group and Dongfeng Group, two State-owned automakers ridden by a slew of corruption scandals, changed hands last May. Xu Ping, former chairman of Dongfeng, was designated chairman of FAW, while Zhu Yanfen, former deputy party chief of Jilin province, was named chairman of Dongfeng.
Both Xu and Zhu face a number of a challenges, such as dealing with alleged internal corruption, reviving their brands and strengthening cooperation with foreign partners. Zhu was chairman of FAW before being deputy party chief of Jilin. In March last year, then FAW Chairman Xu Jianyi was under investigation for suspected discipline violations. In November, Zhu Fushou, then Dongfeng general manager, was also under investigation for discipline violations.
