China cracks down on 'autonomous' car claims after fatal accident

China has banned automakers from using "smart driving" and "autonomous driving" in ads due to safety concerns. This action follows a fatal accident involving a Xiaomi SUV7 using driving assistance features near a construction zone. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is tightening regulations on advertising driving assistance. Automakers are now prohibited from testing and improving driver assistance via remote software upgrades on customer vehicles without approval. Over-the-air updates require rigorous testing and government approval before deployment. The rule was announced at a meeting with 60 representatives from the automotive industry. The move aims to address the growing competition in China's automotive industry emphasizing "smart driving" features. Companies like BYD, which heavily promote "smart driving," will need to adjust their advertising strategies. The ban is a stricter approach compared to California's past actions against Tesla's autonomous claims. These new regulations aim to enhance safety and prevent misleading consumers about self-driving capabilities.