General Motors (GM) has received approval to test Level 4 autonomous driving technology in China (i.e., fully autonomous vehicles limited to specific locations and/or conditions) in collaboration with China-based self-driving startup Momenta.

GM is permitted to conduct tests in designated areas in Shanghai using its Cadillac Lyriqs equipped with Momenta’s technology. 

The company will initially launch test rides in the Jinqiao area for a period of one year. However, GM has not disclosed the timeline the company intends to launch tests.

Analyst QuickTake: GM has been eyeing the Chinese market for a while, having invested USD 300 million in Momenta to jointly develop autonomous vehicles for the local market. However, GM is not alone in the autonomous vehicle tech development space in China, and will face competition from companies such as XPeng Motors, Baidu, and Pony.ai, as the company gears toward introducing autonomous vehicles to the Chinese market.