BMW, Mercedes, and Audi have chosen Momenta to provide technology for assisted driving.

      In partnership with Momenta, BMW plans to jointly develop advanced driver assistance technologies tailored for its offerings in China. Credit: BMW/Momenta

      On Tuesday, BMW announced its intention to integrate advanced driver assistance features from Momenta’s "Flywheel" artificial intelligence model into upcoming models designed specifically for the Chinese market, beginning with its "Neue Klasse" electric vehicle series. This move positions BMW alongside German competitors Mercedes-Benz and Audi, who are also adopting Chinese automotive innovations from the Suzhou-based startup.

      Mihiar Ayoubi, a senior vice president at BMW Group, stated that this collaboration will provide Chinese consumers with “a very unique automated driving experience.” This announcement follows similar agreements made by Mercedes-Benz and Audi with Momenta for incorporating such technologies into their forthcoming CLA Class and E5 Sportback models, unveiled last June and April, respectively.

      On Tuesday, Mercedes-Benz China announced (in Chinese) that its locally produced, all-electric CLA will be available for purchase this fall. Audi's E5 Sportback, which debuted globally at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, is also expected to launch later this year. BMW’s inaugural Neue Klasse electric vehicle, the iX3 Long-Wheelbase, is slated to enter the Chinese market in 2026.

      Audi presented its E5 Sportback without its usual four-ring emblem at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show in April 2025. Credit: Audi

      The leading German automakers are encountering increasing competition from emerging Chinese brands such as Aito, backed by Huawei, as well as Li Auto and NIO. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the sales of BMW, Audi, and Mercedes in China fell by 13.4%, 10.9%, and 6.7% last year, while cars from Chinese brands saw a 23.1% rise. Consultancy AlixPartners suggests that the market share of foreign brands could decrease from 33% this year to 24% by the decade's end.

      READ MORE: Global automakers need to be adaptable in China over the next five years, says AlixPartners

      Global automakers have intensified their focus on developing advanced features for Chinese consumers, making firms like Momenta, with contracts for over 130 car models, highly sought-after partners. BMW has also teamed up with Huawei, marking its Neue Klasse EVs as the first vehicles to include Huawei apps through HiCar, a system for smartphone mirroring based on the tech giant's HarmonyOS, an alternative to Android.

      READ MORE: China's Momenta announces assisted driving collaborations with Toyota, GM, and others, pursuing global growth.

      Jill Shen is a Shanghai-based technology journalist covering Chinese mobility, autonomous vehicles, and electric cars. You can connect with her via email: [email protected] or on Twitter: @jill_shen_sh. More from Jill Shen.