German carmaker BMW considers China as very strong driver of technology

China is a very strong driver of technology, a spokesperson of German carmaker BMW told Xinhua on Wednesday.

"We strongly believe that China will be at the forefront of Autonomous Driving," the spokesperson said in a statement, adding that "this is why we invest a lot of resources in the development work in China."

Jochen Goller (C), head of BMW's China operations, and other executives attend an event announcing the German automaker's partnership with China's Tencent Holdings in launching a computing center for self-driving vehicles, in Beijing on July 19, 2019. [Photo: VCG/Norihiko Shirouzu]

Last Friday, BMW and Chinese technology firm Tencent announced a deal to build by the end of the year a computing center, which will help develop self-driving automobiles in China.

The spokesperson confirmed to Xinhua that the center will be located close to Tianjin, a northern city of China near Beijing.

"After an intense process of evaluation BMW Group has identified Tencent as the best suited partner. Tencent's expertise and experience in the field of data management speaks for itself," the spokesperson said.

A BMW self-driving test vehicle is seen at a showroom following an event announcing the German automaker's partnership with China's Tencent Holdings in launching a computing center for self-driving vehicles, in Beijing on July 19, 2019. [Photo: VCG/Norihiko Shirouzu]

The Bavarian company has been reiterating that "its strategic approach is very clear: we develop in China for China and the world. Autonomous Driving is a key element of our strategy of Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Services (ACES)."

In addition, BMW Group will offer its first Level 3 function for highways in the BMW iNEXT in 2021, according to the group's roadmap to autonomous driving.

"This will be only possible with Data Driven Development and high Simulation capabilities," the spokesperson concluded.