The integration of DeepSeek’s mobility technology is gaining momentum across China’s transportation sector, with major automotive companies and e-scooter manufacturers incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their products. Initially, the adoption of DeepSeek started with primary electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, but it has recently expanded to include the country’s leading electric two-wheeler brands.

DeepSeek’s Impact on the Auto Industry

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, over a dozen Chinese automakers have announced plans to integrate DeepSeek’s AI technology into their vehicles over the past two weeks. The list includes prominent industry players such as BYD, Geely, Great Wall Motor, Chery Automobile, and SAIC Motor, as well as emerging companies like Leapmotor.

BYD’s commitment to DeepSeek is particularly notable, as the company plans to integrate the technology into its Xuanji vehicle software platform. This integration will enable BYD to offer preliminary self-driving capabilities on nearly all its models without increasing the sticker price, making autonomous driving more accessible to consumers.

The initiative covers approximately 20 models, including the affordable Seagull hatchback, which is currently priced at 69,800 yuan (US$9,575).

E-Scooter Brands Adopt DeepSeek Technology

DeepSeek has recently entered China’s e-scooter sector, with companies such as Xiaomi-backed Segway-Ninebot Group and Nasdaq-listed Niu Technologies working to incorporate AI into their electric two-wheelers.

Ninebot announced on Friday that it would “deeply integrate” DeepSeek into its products, promising enhanced features through its mobile app. The improvements are said to include AI-powered content creation, data analytics, personalized recommendations, and intelligent services for riders.

Niu Technologies claims to have integrated DeepSeek’s large language models (LLMs) as of February 9 this year. The company plans to utilize the technology for:

• Driver assistance systems
• Riding safety features
• AI-powered travel companions
• Voice interaction
• Intelligent service recommendations

Yadea Group, the world’s largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer by sales, announced on Saturday that it plans to embed DeepSeek’s technology into its ecosystem.

The rapid adoption of DeepSeek in China’s mobility sector reflects the growing trend of “DeepSeek fever.” The technology’s appeal lies in its cost-effective and efficient approach to AI integration.

Hangzhou-based DeepSeek’s open-source AI models, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, operate at a fraction of the cost and computing power typically required for large language model projects.

“Cars without DeepSeek will either lose market share or be edged out of the market,” said Phate Zhang, founder of Shanghai-based EV data provider CnEVPost.

The expansion of DeepSeek mobility integration comes at a time when Chinese e-scooter brands are gaining traction in overseas markets. According to customs data, the value of electric two-wheeler exports rose 27.6% to US$5.82 billion in 2024, surpassing the previous peak of US$5.31 billion in 2022. Export volume increased by 47% to 22.13 million units.

Research firm IDC notes that DeepSeek’s open-source model has fostered a collaborative innovation ecosystem via platforms like GitHub, allowing developers to participate in optimization and security testing.

The collaborative approach is expected to improve companies’ ability to deploy, train, and utilize large language models.

The impact of DeepSeek mobility integration on China’s transport sector appears to be growing. Zhang Yongwei, general secretary of China EV100, projects that by 2025, approximately 15 million cars – representing two-thirds of national sales – will be equipped with preliminary autonomous driving systems, highlighting the transformative potential of the technology in reshaping China’s transportation system.

(Photo by Kenny Leys)

See also: DeepSeek ban? China data transfer boosts security concerns

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