China Tightens Rules on Automated Driving Ads

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has introduced new regulations banning automakers from using terms such as 'autonomous driving', 'smart driving', 'self-driving', or 'beta' in advertisements for advanced driver assistance systems, following a fatal crash involving Xiaomi's SU7 sedan. Automakers must now use standardized SAE level designations and are prohibited from calling their systems 'beta' or employing vehicle owners as testers for software updates. All over-the-air updates to these systems require rigorous testing and government approval prior to deployment. The regulations, which apply to both domestic and foreign automakers like Tesla and BYD, are intended to improve safety, clarify system capabilities, and mitigate driver complacency. This comes amid rapid ADAS technology rollout and fierce market competition in China. The measures aim to prevent misleading marketing and address risks seen in similar advanced driving systems globally.