Intel Multi-Screen Smart Cockpit Entertainment System Demo (Image Source: Intel)

AsianFin -- multinational automotive suppliers are significantly ramping up their local investments in China. More foreign companies are evolving from simply "entering China" to deeply "integrating into China."

Intel made its debut at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, unveiling its second-generation Intel AI-enhanced Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) SoC—the industry's first chiplet-based architecture design adopted for automotive use.

The launch further expands Intel's innovative portfolio in the smart cockpit space. The company also announced partnerships with Black Sesame Intelligence, Mianbi Intelligence, and BOS Semiconductors to jointly tackle technical challenges in automotive intelligence and build a next-generation smart vehicle ecosystem.

Jack Weast, Intel Fellow, Vice President of Intel, and General Manager of the Automotive Division, explained to TMTPost AGI that the automotive sector is grappling with three major challenges: shifting from traditional vehicle architectures to software-defined platforms; addressing economic and battery supply sustainability as EV makers struggle for profitability; and achieving scalability across different vehicle models without a unified platform.

To address these issues, Intel introduced the industry's first multi-process node chiplet architecture in its second-generation SDV SoC, offering 10 times the AI performance of its predecessor, a 61% improvement in CPU performance per watt, and double the audio performance. Mass production is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Intel's automotive business operates under its Client Computing Group (CCG) and focuses on system-level SoC products for intelligent cockpits. The company has also set up a dedicated automotive division in China, with Jack Weast relocating from the U.S. to lead the efforts on the ground.

On April 24, Intel reported first-quarter 2025 fiscal results, posting $11.8 billion in total revenue, with CCG contributing $7.6 billion.

One highlight is Intel's collaboration with Black Sesame Intelligence, a leading domestic intelligent driving chip company. Together, they are developing a cockpit-driving integration platform, leveraging Intel's chiplet-based SoC technology. Intel emphasized that its platform remains open for collaboration with other companies, such as Horizon Robotics.

According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, traditional fuel vehicles require about 600–700 chips, EVs need around 1,600, and advanced intelligent vehicles may require up to 3,000 chips. As Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturers sold 70% of the world's EVs in 2024, the global automotive chip supply chain is becoming increasingly globalized.

"We already have more than 30 million vehicles worldwide equipped with Intel's entertainment systems in Chinese-branded cars," said Jack Weast. "We believe that future growth opportunities lie in China, and Intel does not intend to miss out."

Dan Jizhang, founder and CEO of Black Sesame Intelligence, added, "Our partnership with Intel will leverage both parties' strengths to deliver a highly scalable cockpit-driving platform covering L2+ to L4 autonomous driving scenarios."

Beyond Intel, global players like Porsche are also deepening their investments. At the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, Porsche announced the strategic upgrade of its China R&D center in Jiading District, Shanghai, with the new Shanghai office slated to open in the second half of 2025. Porsche delivered 56,887 vehicles in China out of 310,718 global deliveries in 2024.

Unity China also showcased innovations at the show, including its Digital Twin Factory project, the Digital Smart Emotional Cockpit, and an in-car gaming ecosystem—positioning the smart cockpit as the "fourth screen" after TVs, PCs, and smartphones.

Unity China has established an In-Car Gaming Center to develop multi-screen games, immersive sound experiences, in-car XR racetracks, and gesture-based interactions. It plans to launch an in-car gaming platform and SDK to accelerate ecosystem growth. Unity China's technology now powers real-time 3D solutions in 77 mass-produced car models, achieving an 85% market share.

The company has localized the Unity Engine for China, working with chipmakers like MediaTek, Rockchip, UNISOC, and SemiDrive, and partnering with map providers such as AutoNavi, Tencent Maps, Baidu Maps, and NavInfo for 3D map rendering. For intelligent driving, it supplies 3D HMI front-end solutions to major suppliers.

Unity China CEO Zhang Junbo believes AI in vehicles should evolve beyond simple voice interactions, enabling more natural multimodal commands and richer in-car AI experiences—especially important for gaming scenarios that surpass traditional mobile devices.

Meanwhile, Mobileye, another major player, made its Shanghai Auto Show debut, showcasing an autonomous driving solution based on its Composite Artificial Intelligence System (CAIS). Working closely with automakers, Mobileye aims to bring these technologies to millions of vehicles.

Mobileye, founded in 1999, was acquired by Intel in 2017 and went public again in 2022. It estimates that over 200 million vehicles worldwide are equipped with its EyeQ technology. In Q1 2025, Mobileye reported $438 million in revenue, up 83% year-on-year, largely due to a reduction in tier-one customer inventories.

Mobileye CEO Professor Amnon Shashua said that while the company is indirectly impacted by U.S. tariffs on auto parts, current revenue trends remain strong, and projections for 2025 have already accounted for macroeconomic challenges.

Beyond Intel and Mobileye, global suppliers like Bosch, Aptiv, and Sony also announced plans to expand their China operations.

Bosch, for instance, struck a strategic deal with Horizon Robotics (9660.HK) to develop a new-generation multifunctional camera and an upgraded longitudinal assisted driving system based on Horizon's Journey 6 series chips. These solutions have already secured commitments from automakers including Jetour, Dongfeng, and BAIC, with mass production scheduled to begin in mid-2025.

Separately, Aptiv announced the establishment of its Wind River China Software Headquarters at Shanghai International Auto City, aiming to deepen collaboration with local chipmakers and develop "China Chip" solutions.

Today, many automakers remain highly dependent on platforms like Nvidia's DRIVE Orin and Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride. Gasgoo Auto data shows that in 2024, Nvidia's Drive Orin-X dominated the intelligent driving domain controller chip market with a 39.4% share, while Tesla's FSD system held a 25.4% share.

However, with U.S. export controls tightening, supply chain resilience has become a critical concern. As a result, Chinese chipmakers like Horizon Robotics and Black Sesame Intelligence are emerging as new options for global automakers.

Fu Bingfeng, Executive Vice President of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, noted that China's well-developed new energy vehicle supply chain is now a vital resource for multinational companies aiming to develop new products and expand globally.

Mobileye also emphasized that its global deployment experience can help Chinese automakers grow their international business.

Finally, Unity China stated that the continued localization of the Unity Engine and its vehicle system suite is helping drive the high-quality development of China's smart automotive sector.

Multinationals Ramp Up Investment in China's ...