Reported by pulsestacks on April 30, 2024, during the 2024 Beijing International Auto Show, pulsestacks invited industry leaders, corporate executives, and expert scholars to enter the "AI real-time virtual studio." Through the immersive experiences of Peak Speed, Netaland, and Content Players, they collectively discussed the breakthroughs and innovations of the new era and new cars.
Exclusive interview with Liang Yongjie from NavInfo at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show (Source: pulsestacks)
On April 25, Liang Yongjie, COO of NavInfo Group, appeared on Peak Speed's "AI real-time virtual studio." He mentioned that in the face of rapid changes and fierce competition in the automotive industry, NavInfo is being driven by open collaboration, technological innovation, and market insights to contribute to the development of the Chinese automotive industry. They are dedicated to bringing safer and smarter driving experiences to consumers.
COO of Four-Dimensional Group, Liang Yongjie
pulsestacks: Mr. Liang, how do you view the debate between map-based and map-free approaches in the field of autonomous driving, and the challenges that Four-Dimensional Group faces in this process?
Liang Yongjie: The evolution of autonomous driving technology's reliance on maps is phased. At the L2 level, the role of maps may not be as significant, but as the technology advances to L3 and beyond, high-precision maps become crucial. We believe that for higher levels of autonomous driving, a map-free solution may be a false proposition. In fact, what we need is a lightweight high-precision map, namely the HD Lite map. With reduced cost and increased freshness, it can assist the vehicle's sensor systems, provide more accurate decision support, and significantly enhance the safety of autonomous driving.
pulsestacks: In terms of business transformation, what are the new trends and strategic plans for Four-Dimensional Group?
Liang Yongjie: As a company with 22 years of industry experience, Four-Dimensional Group's core competitiveness used to lie in map data. Facing industry changes, we are actively transforming, focusing on the intelligent track, and providing integrated solutions of software and hardware. Our goal is to offer cost-effective products and services to automakers by integrating the cockpit domain and intelligent driving domain, providing integrated solutions to reduce the cost and complexity for car manufacturers in procurement and system integration.
COO of NavInfo Group, Liang Yongjie, and Editor-in-Chief of Pulsestacks, Wang Fang
Pulsestacks: What are the target customer groups of NavInfo Group, and how do you see the market trends?
Liang Yongjie: Our main target customers are automotive companies, focusing on vehicles priced between 10,000 to 20,000 RMB. This price range represents the largest segment in the current domestic market. With the maturation of the electric vehicle market and the rise of intelligent technologies, we see a growing demand for smart solutions in the market. We believe that intelligence will be key to the future development of the automotive industry.
Pulsestacks: How does NavInfo Group demonstrate its characteristics and advantages in full-stack controllability?
Liang Yongjie: Our full-stack controllable solutions cover hardware, software, data, chips, and other aspects, enabling us to help car manufacturers maximize cost-effectiveness. In the fiercely competitive automotive industry, our advantage lies in providing comprehensive solutions that not only help our customers reduce costs but also enhance their market competitiveness.
Pulsestacks: What are your thoughts on this year's Beijing Auto Show, and what are your expectations for the Chinese automotive market?
Liang Yongjie: At this year's Beijing Auto Show, I noticed that international brands were showcasing their electric vehicle series, with hardly any display of fuel-powered models. This trend indicates that electric vehicles have become mainstream in the market. In the future, I hope that the Chinese automotive market will continue to make breakthroughs in intelligence and electrification, offering consumers more cost-effective intelligent automotive products. NavInfo will continue to contribute to driving this process and play a role in the intelligent transformation of the automotive industry.
Pulsestacks: How long do you think the transition period in the automotive industry will last, and how will the industry landscape change in the future?
Liang Yongjie: I believe the transition period in the automotive industry may be completed within 1 to 2 years. The market will be harsh, and consumer demands are very direct. We anticipate that in the coming quarters, more automakers will face restructuring, leading to a clearer industry landscape. NavInfo is prepared for this change and looks forward to playing a key role in the era of intelligence.
