An AutoX driverless robotaxi runs in Pingshan. Photo courtesy of AutoX

Shenzhen has secured the third position among Chinese cities for its commitment to advancing intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) technologies, trailing behind Beijing and Shanghai, according to the 2023 China Intelligent Connected Vehicles Development Index (Urban Chapter). The index was released recently by the Center for Automobile Industry Research of CCID Consulting Co. Ltd.

The ranking of the top 50 cities was determined by evaluations of government and industrial support, company prowess, technological innovation, and growth potential.

The top 10 cities in the ICV development index are Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Suzhou, Tianjin, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. The data shows that 33 of the selected cities are situated in East China, constituting 60% of the total. Shandong and Jiangsu emerged strongly on the list, each boasting nine cities, while Guangdong has six.

In recent years, Shenzhen has put great efforts into nurturing the ICV industry. In August last year, the city unveiled a series of regulations tailored for ICVs, marking China’s first regulatory guidelines in this regard. Additionally, Shenzhen has initiated a three-year plan to position itself as a new-generation, world-class auto city, aiming to take a pioneering position in China’s automotive landscape by excelling in automotive technologies, scenario applications, and industrial scale. The strategy seeks to boost Shenzhen’s competitive edge in new energy vehicles and ICVs in three years.