Haval Promises Autonomous Vehicle by 2020

Chinese SUV brand Haval has announced that it will join other leading automakers with an autonomous vehicle of its own, to be produced by 2020.

Haval hasn’t revealed whether its self-driving technology is being developed internally, or with the assistance of a third party, but has confirmed that the project is being developed collaboratively by engineering teams working in both China, India and the USA.

Testing of Haval’s first autonomous prototypes it set to begin this year, with the company targeting SAE ‘level three’ autonomy, meaning that the car will still require a driver, but in certain situations like highways or known environments the car will be able to control its own speed, lane placement, braking and acceleration.

Haval Chairman Wei Jianjun announced the project as part of a US$6 billion global research and development investment by the brand, aimed at keeping Haval “at the cutting edge of automotive technology.”

Haval is also dedicating research to alternative fuels, with a focus on plug-in hybrid technology as shown on the HB-02 concept first revealed in 2016.

Despite a slow start in Australia Haval holds the title of China’s best selling SUV brand, with the medium-sized H6 ranked number one amongst SUVs in China and the fifth best selling SUV globally.

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