Huawei to Invest Up to 80 Billion Yuan in Autonomous Driving Computing Power Over 5 Years

Huawei logo [Photo=Reuters/Yonhap]

China’s Huawei is sharply increasing investment in smart driving technology, aiming to expand its influence in China’s electric-vehicle market as a supplier of autonomous driving systems rather than a carmaker.

According to Reuters on the 24th, Huawei Senior Vice President Jin Yizhi said at an event in Beijing that the company will invest 70 billion to 80 billion yuan ($13.6 trillion to $15.5 trillion won) in computing power over the next five years. The event was held ahead of China’s largest auto show, which opens on the 25th.

Huawei plans to invest 18 billion yuan ($3.5 trillion won) globally this year in research and development for smart driving technology. Of that, 10 billion yuan ($1.9 trillion won) will be allocated to training computing power to process large-scale driving data and further develop in-vehicle artificial intelligence models.

Huawei does not build finished vehicles. Instead, it supplies automakers with smart driving systems, intelligent cockpit technology and operating systems. Over the past four years, it has emerged as a key supplier in China’s smart electric-vehicle market. Reuters reported Huawei showcased 38 vehicle models equipped with its smart driving and intelligent cockpit systems at the event, with partners including Audi and Toyota.

Huawei also unveiled a new Qiankun (乾崑) ADS advanced driver-assistance system. ADS is the company’s core smart driving technology, designed to help vehicles detect their surroundings and assist with lane changes, parking and highway driving. The system is set to be installed in the Epikland X9 sport utility vehicle developed with Dongfeng Motor, Reuters said.

Automotive-related revenue is rising quickly. Reuters reported Huawei’s automotive revenue reached 45 billion yuan ($8.7 trillion won) in 2025, up 72% from a year earlier, far outpacing the company’s overall revenue growth of 2.2%. That suggests the auto business has become a new growth engine since U.S. sanctions.

Competition in China’s auto industry is also shifting from EV pricing to AI features. Reuters said that in line with the Chinese government’s “AI Plus” push, companies including Xpeng, Xiaomi and Huawei are emphasizing in-car AI functions, such as voice commands for destinations and driving preferences and operating systems that adjust features based on a driver’s condition and usage patterns.

* This article has been translated by AI.

AJP