The BMW Group recently got its Shanghai Intelligent Connected Autonomous Driving Test License. This license is issued by the Intelligent Connected Vehicle Road Test Promotion Team, which has three institutions under it, namely, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau and the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission. The company can now officially test driverless cars in China.
It is now the first international automaker be awarded the autonomous riving road test license in China. China is promoting autonomous driving as a part of boosting Intelligent Connected Vehicles (ICVs). The license will allow BMW to accelerate its development of autonomous driving in the country.
BMW will initially focus on Shanghai to carry out road tests. Dr. Martin Sautter, senior vice president, R&D centre, BMW Group, BMW China Services, said, “The BMW Group has always followed its R&D strategy ‘In China, For China’. We have developed a complete, customer-oriented and prospective R&D system through the R&D layout in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang. Now, it is a great honour to be the first international vehicle manufacturer to obtain an autonomous road test license in China. With the highest safety standards, we will rigorously promote the local development of autonomous driving and strive to achieve a safer, more efficient and more convenient transportation system.”