China Urges Accurate Ads for Assisted Driving Tech

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) and the China Society of Automotive Engineers jointly released an initiative on Monday to standardize the promotion and application of assisted driving technology. 

The initiative mandates that automakers eliminate false advertising, avoid ambiguous expressions, and ensure that function names are scientifically accurate to prevent driver misuse. Concurrently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) convened nearly 60 automakers to reinforce new rules on advertising and software updates for intelligent connected vehicles.

Key Requirements for Automakers

The initiative emphasizes several responsibilities for automakers, including:

• Clarification and Rectification: "Any inaccurate information that has been published should be promptly clarified and rectified," the document states.

• Education and Transparency: Automakers must clearly differentiate driving assistance from autonomous driving and provide drivers with instructions on system usage and emergency procedures.

• Ban on Misleading Ads: Exaggerated or misleading advertisements are strictly prohibited.

The regulatory tightening follows rising concerns over vehicle safety after several fatal incidents, including a March crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle. Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle struck a roadside pole at 97 km/h and caught fire shortly after the driver disengaged its advanced driving assistance system (ADAS). The accident reignited public debate on Chinese social media about the safety of intelligent driving technologies.

The MIIT also introduced stricter regulations for over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Automakers must now secure government approval before deploying OTA updates related to driving functions on delivered vehicles. "Automakers are required to carry out sufficient tests to verify reliability and obtain approval from the authorities before such roll-outs," stated a meeting transcript confirmed by an attendee. Previously, automakers could implement ADAS updates remotely without formal clearance.

The public security ministry’s traffic safety research center issued a warning about misleading advertisements for assisted driving features. Automakers fabricating or exaggerating claims could face:

• Fines: Ranging from five to ten times the advertising fee.

• License Revocation: For severe violations.

• Criminal Charges: Up to two years in prison if false advertising results in traffic accidents with casualties, as per Chinese criminal law.

"Such measures are expected to foster a more sustainable and well-regulated environment for the development of intelligent connected vehicles," said Wu Shuocheng, a veteran automobile industry analyst.