BMW and Alibaba Join Forces to Develop AI-Powered In-Car Technology for Chinese Market

Alibaba joins forces with BMW to work on AI tech for cars in China

The partnership demonstrates Alibaba's increased focus on AI, while BMW is also seeking to develop competitive products for the Chinese market. BMW and Alibaba Group have announced that they have partnered to develop artificial intelligence for cars in China. This decision comes as Alibaba Group attempts to focus more on monetising its products and growing its customer base. Alizila, Alibaba Group's digital newsroom, said on its website: "Under the partnership, the new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA) will integrate a bespoke AI engine co-developed by BMW and Alibaba." "The AI engine will be based on the Yan AI, a Qwen-empowered smart cockpit AI solution developed by Banma, Alibaba's intelligent cockpit solution provider. The AI-enhanced IPA will debut in BMW Neue Klasse models produced in China starting from 2026, setting a new benchmark for intelligent, intuitive and engaging human-vehicle interaction." This collaboration is expected to be a significant milestone in advancing AI-driven mobility in China. These AI features will focus on improving in-car mobility services, such as their navigation and assistance features, as well as more natural voice interactions. It will also support Alibaba's ambitions to spark change through AI technology, along with BMW's goal of integrating AI across its product range. BMW's Neue Klasse models will initially have two AI agents, dubbed Travel Companion and Car Genius. These can be used for customised lifestyle services and real-time help. This includes things like planning dinner outings, which the AI system offers by combining restaurant ratings, real-time traffic data and personal preferences. "Our long-term partnership with Alibaba Group is exemplary of common growth achieved with co-creation. BMW will work closer with Chinese tech partners on electric mobility and intelligent technologies to write our renewed win-win story," Sean Green, President and CEO of BMW Group Region China, said. Eddie Wu, CEO of Alibaba Group, added: "Our partnership with BMW Group marks a pivotal leap in deploying AI-powered large language models at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, and Qwen's integration into BMW's in-car systems showcases how AI can revolutionize mobility," "AI is a driving force to advance productivity across industries. We look forward to working closely with BMW to pioneer AI applications in the mobility sector that drive innovation and truly elevate user experience," he continued. BMW Group has focused heavily on electric vehicles in the last few years, seeking to establish a significant share of all-electric vehicle sales by this year. It also aims to produce fully-electric versions of key models, planning to make subsidiary products from Rolls-Royce and MINI Cooper completely electric by the early 2030s. The launch of the Neue Klasse is expected to considerably help the group meet its goal of hiking its all-electric delivery share to 50% from this year onwards. "Fully-electric vehicles accounted for over 17% of total sales last year. Including plug-in hybrids, nearly one in four vehicles sold was electrified," Oliver Zipse, the chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, said at the Annual Conference 2025 in Munich. "We are targeting further growth in e-mobility in 2025. We will hit two major milestones this year: We will reach the total of more than three million electrified vehicles and over 1.5 million BEVs sold since the launch of the BMW i3 and BMW i8. Our customers can choose between over 15 BEVs across all our brands," he continued. However, European electric vehicle makers as a whole are still struggling, with several car companies such as Volkswagen and Volvo adjusting EV targets. This is mainly because of weaker-than-expected EV demand, as well as an increased focus on hybrid technology. Rising competition from Chinese rivals such as BYD, SAIC and Geely as well as decreased government subsidies for both electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles from Germany, the UK, France and more European countries have contributed to the uncertain outlook for the EV sector too.

BMW, Alibaba Expand AI Partnership for Next-Gen Cars in China

Users can make complex requests like planning a dinner outing, and the system will synthesise real-time statistics and options. German automobile giant BMW and Chinese tech giant Alibaba announced an expanded partnership to co-develop AI technology for next-generation vehicles in China. The collaboration will integrate Alibaba's Qwen large language model (LLM) into BMW's Neue Klasse models, with the first rollout planned in 2026. The collaboration aims to redefine intelligent in-car experiences by combining BMW's automotive expertise with Alibaba's AI capabilities. The Neue Klasse models will debut with two AI agents -- Car Genius and Travel Companion -- offering real-time assistance and lifestyle services tailored to Chinese users. For instance, users can make complex requests like planning a dinner outing, and the system will synthesise real-time traffic data, venue ratings, and user preferences to generate tailored recommendations, ensuring stress-free travel planning. The collaboration will integrate the AI engine based on Yan AI, developed by Banma, Alibaba's intelligent cockpit solution provider, as per the announcement. Sean Green, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China, stated, "BMW will work closer with Chinese tech partners on electric mobility and intelligent technologies to write our renewed win-win story." The partnership will introduce a bespoke AI engine, co-developed by both companies, into BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA), enhancing human-vehicle interaction with features such as human-like communication, multi-agent coordination, and digital ecosystem integration. The AI-powered IPA will enhance features like voice recognition, trip planning, and personalised services like parking recommendations and traffic updates, tailored specifically for the Chinese market. Meanwhile, Eddie Wu, CEO of Alibaba Group, explained, "Qwen's integration into BMW's in-car systems showcases how AI can revolutionise mobility". The initiative aligns with Alibaba's broader focus on AI development, as the company has pledged over $52 billion in AI infrastructure investments over the next three years. The partnership also reflects BMW's commitment to embedding AI across its R&D processes and aligns with Alibaba's goal of driving industrial transformation through advanced AI technologies. Since 2015, the two companies have collaborated across areas such as cloud computing and smart manufacturing. This latest milestone underscores their shared vision for intelligent mobility solutions. In February this year, Alibaba was also reported to have partnered with Apple to introduce AI features to iPhones in China. Moreover, BMW had announced a significant partnership with Figure AI, the US robotics company, last year, pertaining to major improvements in the company's Figure 02 robots.

Alibaba teams up with BMW to develop AI for cars in China

Alibaba Group and BMW have partnered to develop AI for cars in China. BMW will integrate Alibaba-backed Banma's AI cockpit technology in upcoming models, featuring enhanced voice recognition and trip planning. Alibaba is increasing its focus on AI, investing $52 billion in infrastructure, while BMW facing fierce local EV competition.Alibaba Group and BMW will team up to produce AI for cars in China, as the tech giant looks to monetize its emerging products and reach more customers. BMW will adopt AI cockpit technology from Alibaba-backed Banma for its upcoming models tailored for the Chinese market, the companies said Wednesday in a joint statement. Banma's technology is the product of collaboration with Alibaba's own Qwen model team. The carmaker is building a new intelligent personal assistant with enhanced voice recognition and trip planning features that will be rolled out next year in new models produced in China. The in-car AI agent can offer parking and nearby restaurant recommendations as well as real-time traffic light information. Alibaba said its Qwen model has been used in cars produced by Chinese automakers Xpeng, Zeekr and Leapmotor. Alibaba has been aggressively pivoting its focus to AI over the past few months, pledging to invest more than 380 billion yuan ($52 billion) on AI infrastructure such as data centers over the next three years. Chief Executive Officer Eddie Wu said in February that the pursuit of artificial general intelligence is now the company's "primary objective." The company also scored a coveted role providing AI technology to Apple's iPhones in China, which are due to be rolled out in the coming months. BMW, meanwhile, relies on China as a major market while facing another challenging year with intensifying competition in the world's No. 2 economy, which is dominated by local electric vehicle makers led by BYD.

Alibaba, BMW Team Up To Bring AI-Powered Smart Assistant In Next-Gen China Cars - Alibaba Gr Hldgs (NYSE:BABA)

Alibaba Group Holding BABA and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG BMWKY announced an expanded strategic partnership in China on Wednesday. The companies proposed accelerating the integration of Alibaba's Qwen large language model (LLM) into BMW's next-generation intelligent vehicles, the Neue Klasse models. The new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA) will integrate a bespoke AI engine co-developed by the companies, Alizila reports. Also Read: Alibaba Unveils New AI-Powered App With Chatbot, Image Generation, And Task Automation The AI engine will be based on the Yan AI, a Qwen-empowered smart cockpit AI solution developed by Banma, Alibaba's intelligent cockpit solution provider. Starting in 2026, the AI-enhanced IPA will debut in BMW Neue Klasse models produced in China. BMW is building a new intelligent personal assistant with enhanced voice recognition and trip planning features, Bloomberg reports. The in-car AI agent can offer parking, nearby restaurant recommendations, and real-time traffic light information. Alibaba told Bloomberg that the cars produced by Chinese automakers Xpeng Inc XPEV and Zeekr Intelligent Technology Holding ZK leveraged its Qwen model. Over the next three years, Alibaba committed over 380 billion yuan ($52 billion) to AI infrastructure, such as data centers. It bagged a key deal to provide AI technology to Apple Inc's AAPL iPhones in China. China is a key market for BMW, which is led by electric vehicle makers like BYD Co BYDDY. On Tuesday, BMW also launched its 360-degree full-chain AI strategy in China, focusing on digital production operations, comprehensive user experiences, and R&D innovation, YICAI reports. Recently, Jim Cramer warned against potentially reducing U.S. computational capabilities for artificial intelligence in response to Alibaba Chair Joe Tsai's comments about a potential data center bubble. Price Action: BABA stock is up 0.20% at $133.01 premarket at last check Wednesday. Also Read: Dell Analyst Says Expanding AI Server Pipeline Could Drive Double-Digit Earnings Growth Photo by jackpress via Shutterstock BABAAlibaba Group Holding Ltd$133.090.25%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentum95.29Growth73.69Quality54.90Value78.16Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewAAPLApple Inc$224.330.26%BMWKYBayerische Motoren Werke AG$29.20-%BYDDYBYD Co Ltd$101.20-0.10%XPEVXPeng Inc$20.90-0.52%ZKZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Ltd$26.00-0.61%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Alibaba, BMW Expand AI Collaboration as Tesla Faces Growing Local Competition

German vehicle giant BMW and Chinese tech giant Alibaba have announced an extended partnership in China to boost the power of in-car AI. | Credit: Lennart Preiss / Stringer / Getty Images. German luxury vehicle giant BMW and Chinese tech giant Alibaba have announced an extended partnership in China to boost the power of in-car artificial intelligence. The announcement further highlights Tesla's growing competition in the country after recently being taken over in revenue by electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD. Alibaba and BMW AI Partnership The partnership will see Alibaba's large language model, Qwen, implemented into BMW's driver assistance system to give drivers in-car AI agents, the companies said in a joint statement. Alibaba said the AI companions will provide human-like interaction to enhance in-car infotainment and ease travel. The two new agents initially integrated for Chinese car users include 'Car Genius' and 'Travel Companion.' The Car Genius provides real-time assistance and expertise over vehicle functions, while the Travel Companion will provide lifestyle and entertainment services. According to the companies, the AI model will provide services based on user preferences, allowing for a personally customized experience. The AI-enhanced driving system will debut in the BMW Neue Klasse models produced in China in 2026. Tesla's Growing Competition The announcement of BMW's extended partnership with Alibaba has highlighted Tesla's growing competition to stand out in the Chinese market. Tesla's AI primarily focuses on automation, whereas BMW's approach focuses on fostering a relationship between driver and vehicle. This user-centric approach will likely resonate with Chinese consumers who expect seamless digital interactivity in their daily lives. Despite Musk telling investors that Tesla was going "ballistic" on AI over the next few years, the EV manufacturer has yet to profit from the technology. So far, Tesla has faced a long road of legal and regulatory challenges to fully autonomous driving, including multiple crashes and scrutiny from regulatory bodies. In 2024, Chinese EV giant BYD recorded revenues of 777 billion yuan ($107 billion), beating Tesla's $97.7 billion. In terms of sales, BYD delivered 4.27 million cars , while Tesla sold 1.79 million. BYD CEO Wang Chuanfu described the company's dominance of "foreign brands" in BYD's latest annual report. "BYD has become an industry leader in every sector from batteries, electronics to new energy vehicles, breaking the dominance of foreign brands and reshaping the new landscape of the global market," Wang said. BYD announced an advanced driver-assistance system in February free of charge for car owners. This was a significant move undercutting Tesla, which offers its Full Self-Driving (FSD) service in the U.S. for $8,000 or a $99 subscription.

BMW and Alibaba expand AI partnership for smarter in-car experiences By Investing.com

Investing.com -- BMW (ETR:BMWG) Group and Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) Group have announced a deeper strategic partnership in China, aiming to integrate Alibaba's large language model, Qwen, into BMW's next-generation Neue Klasse models. This collaboration signifies a major advancement in AI-driven mobility, merging BMW's automotive expertise with Alibaba's AI capabilities to provide a unique in-car intelligence experience in China. As part of the partnership, a custom AI engine, co-developed by BMW and Alibaba, will be incorporated into the new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA). The AI engine will be based on Yan AI, a smart cockpit AI solution powered by Qwen and developed by Banma, Alibaba's intelligent cockpit solution provider. The AI-enhanced IPA is set to premiere in BMW Neue Klasse models manufactured in China starting from 2026, establishing a new standard for intelligent, intuitive, and engaging human-vehicle interaction. This partnership aligns with Alibaba's mission to drive industrial transformation through AI, enabling global leaders like BMW to utilize Qwen's advanced capabilities. It also highlights BMW's dedication to incorporating AI into its research and development and product development, following its recent comprehensive AI strategy launch in China. Sean Green, President and CEO of BMW Group Region China, emphasized the importance of the partnership with Alibaba Group. He stated that BMW aims to work more closely with Chinese tech partners on electric mobility and intelligent technologies. Eddie Wu, CEO of Alibaba Group, noted that the partnership represents a critical step in applying AI-powered large language models to advanced manufacturing. Since 2015, BMW and Alibaba have cooperated in various domains including cloud computing, smart manufacturing, intelligent networking, intelligent logistics, and voice interaction. The expansion into AI LLM integration marks a new phase in the partnership, with both companies looking to further explore cross-sector opportunities in infrastructure, platform development, and intelligent services. With Qwen's AI capability, BMW and Alibaba Group will integrate AI LLM into BMW's IPA system and bring AI agents to the cabin for the first time. The Neue Klasse models will feature an empathetic AI companion with three core capabilities: human-like interaction, multi-agent coordination, and digital ecosystem integration. These capabilities will enhance both travel and in-car infotainment experience through more accurate intent recognition, complex command processing, nuanced semantic understanding, and improved logical reasoning. Initially, the Neue Klasse models will introduce two new AI Agents for Chinese car users - the Car Genius, an onboard expert for vehicle functions and real-time assistance, and the Travel Companion, a personalized guide for navigation, entertainment, and lifestyle services. These intelligent interaction agents will facilitate user requests on mobility functions, in-car experience, and digital services. For instance, when a user makes a complex multi-command request, the IPA system will utilize real-time traffic data, charging station availability, venue ratings, and user preferences to generate tailored recommendations, simplifying travel planning. Since its launch in April 2023, Alibaba's Qwen has been adopted by over 290,000 enterprises across various industries, including automotive, manufacturing, finance, gaming, healthcare, and robotics. Accessible via Alibaba Cloud's generative AI development platform Model Studio, Qwen continues to be a favorite among global businesses and developers for AI innovation.