Geely's G-Pilot enters China's crowded autonomous driving market

Geely Auto has unveiled its new assisted driving technology, G-Pilot, and is setting its sights on rivals like BYD and Tesla. The importance of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in the Chinese EV landscape has steadily grown just recently we saw the launch of BYD's God's Eye. Now, Geely wants to steal some of the limelight, and its offer is quite interesting.

Geely's G-Pilot comes in five distinct versions, each offering a range of features. The base model, G-Pilot H1, provides automatic parking and highway navigation assistance. Stepping up, the H3 adds city street navigation. The H5 introduces door-to-door navigation without relying on high-definition maps, and the H7 mirrors the H5 but adds enhanced AI capabilities. The top-tier H9 promises Level 3 autonomous driving with a comprehensive self-driving experience in the future.

Hardware configurations vary across the G-Pilot versions. The H1 uses 10 cameras and 5 mmWave radars. The H3 uses 10 cameras and 3 mmWave radars. The H5 and H7 add a LiDAR sensor to 11 cameras and 3 mmWave radars. The H9, designed for full autonomy, features 13 cameras, 3 mmWave radars, and multiple LiDAR sensors.

Geely is launching G-Pilot with its Galaxy E8 electric sedan. It starts at RMB 149,800 (approximately $20,500) and comes standard with the G-Pilot H1 system. Geely clearly wants to make advanced driving technology accessible to a wider audience.

The launch of G-Pilot comes amid intense competition. BYD recently introduced its God's Eye system and is offering it even on its most affordable models, like the Seagull hatchback, priced at RMB 69,800 (around $9,500). BYD's approach is to include the technology at no extra cost, making it a strong contender in the value segment.

Tesla has finally joined the fray, launching its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in China. Unlike BYD's inclusive approach, Tesla charges RMB 64,000 (around $8,800) for FSD. This positions Tesla's offering as a premium option in the market. The Chinese market is already heavily dominated by Huawei and Xpeng in this sector, making Geely's entrance a significant challenge.

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