WHERE NEW MOBILITY TECHNOLOGIES ARE INNOVATED

As EVs morph into digital devices on wheels in China, markets appear for onboard infotainment, sci-fi features

Until very recently, vehicles were used as mobility tools — they helped people to travel from point A to point B. Now, however, vehicles are taking on new roles, especially in China, where they are on their way to becoming digital devices on wheels.

Li Xiaolin, a 27-year old lawyer in Beijing, who is considering buying her first car, said: "Of course the new-generation vehicle should look fancy. More important are the smart features onboard. I don't think cars nowadays should look like what my dad has driven all his life. It should be a place you like sitting in."

She is comparing models from Neta, Xpeng and Aion, all of which are Chinese startups that enjoy wide recognition among young, tech-savvy car buyers in the country.