China cracks down on ‘Smart Driving’ claims in Car Ads, tightens rules on ADAS and OTA updates

In a major regulatory move, China has banned the use of phrases like “smart driving” and “autonomous driving” in car advertisements, aiming to strengthen oversight over Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. The decision comes after growing concerns around vehicle safety, particularly following a fatal accident involving Xiaomi’s SU7 electric sedan in March 2025.

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