China should skip a step in self-driving cars, Xpeng CEO says
South China Morning Post
by Themis Qi,Zhu WenqianMarch 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
China’s push to lead in autonomous driving technology has taken a significant step forward as Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng calls for skipping an intermediate development stage. Speaking at the company’s headquarters, He urged Beijing to adjust regulations and policies to enable a direct leap from current L2 (partial automation) to advanced L4 capabilities, which would allow drivers to take their eyes off the road. This proposal is set to be presented during China’s annual legislative sessions, known as the “two sessions,” beginning Wednesday.
Xpeng’s upgraded Vision Language Action (VLA) model aims to achieve Level 4 autonomous driving, a more advanced capability compared to the L2 systems currently being rolled out by most automakers. While L3 allows drivers to go hands-free but still requires them to remain alert, L4 represents a significant leap toward greater autonomy, with the car handling all driving functions under specific conditions.
He emphasized that the autonomous driving industry is at a pivotal moment, with opportunities for China to make a global impact by accelerating its regulatory framework and technological innovation. By skipping an intermediate step, China could position itself as a leader in this transformative field, potentially reshaping the global automotive landscape.
This proposal highlights China’s ambition to leapfrog traditional development stages in key technologies like autonomous driving. It reflects Beijing’s broader strategy to foster innovation and compete on the world stage. While most automakers are focusing on L2 systems for mass production, Xpeng’s push toward L4 underscores the potential for rapid advancements in this sector.
The move could
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 3/2/2026