Chinese Autonomous Tech Firms Accelerate Expansion Across European Markets Amid Local Rivalry

Chinese self-driving technology companies, barred from the U.S. market due to national security concerns, are aggressively expanding into Europe by establishing headquarters, forming data-sharing partnerships, and testing autonomous vehicles on European roads. Firms like QCraft, Deeproute.ai, and Momenta are leveraging Europe's comparatively open regulatory environment to introduce Level-4 autonomous driving systems, with plans to sell their technologies within the next two years. This push corresponds with Beijing's broader strategy to dominate global autonomous vehicle development, as more than half of cars sold in China now include autonomous features, often as standard. European automakers and regulators are expressing concern over the competitive threat posed by these Chinese firms and are moving toward creating more cohesive continental regulations to address the rapidly evolving market. The expansion mirrors the successful global strategy Chinese electric vehicle makers have employed, seeking higher profits outside the increasingly crowded Chinese market. Overall, the move highlights Europe's growing role as a critical battleground for autonomous vehicle innovation amid geopolitical and market dynamics.