BEIJING— German luxury automakers BMW, Mercedes‑Benz and Audi have each selected Chinese startup Momenta to supply advanced driver‑assistance systems (ADAS) for new electric and gas‑powered models sold in China, marking a shift as they face mounting competition from domestic rivals.
BMW announced Tuesday that it will partner with Momenta to co‑develop ADAS tailored specifically for China’s roads and driving habits. The system will debut on its upcoming Neue Klasse electric‑vehicle (EV) line, beginning with the iX3 Long‑Wheel‑Base model expected in 2026, and will include highway and urban driving assistance alongside automated parking functions.
Mercedes‑Benz and Audi previously struck similar deals: Mercedes will install Momenta’s ADAS on its new all‑electric CLA, slated for a fall launch, with a reported investment of $75 million across multiple China‑market models between 2025 and 2027 . Audi’s E5 Sportback, revealed at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show, is also set to incorporate Momenta’s technology.
Momenta, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Suzhou and Beijing, has quickly grown into a key player: its systems are employed in more than 130 vehicle models, with over 300,000 cars on the road across China using its tech by mid‑2025.
The move comes as foreign automakers lose market share to domestic brands like BYD, NIO and Li Auto, which have surged ahead in smart‑driving and electric‑vehicle capabilities. BMW reported a 13.4 percent drop in China sales last year, compared with surging growth among Chinese brands
By integrating locally developed ADAS, automakers aim to regain competitiveness and meet rising consumer expectations for intelligent driving features customized to Chinese city and highway conditions.