Core Viewpoint - The automotive industry is experiencing a shift towards "intelligent driving equality," leading to discussions on whether advanced driving assistance systems should be charged or offered for free [2][6]. Group 1: Industry Trends - The transition from 2G to 5G has made mobile data services a basic consumer good, influencing the automotive sector to consider similar models for intelligent driving features [2]. - Companies like BYD are advocating for "intelligent driving equality," aiming to make advanced driving technologies accessible to a broader consumer base [3][4]. - The introduction of various intelligent driving solutions, such as BYD's "Tian Shen Zhi Yan" and XPeng's AI driving features, reflects a trend towards standardizing these technologies across all vehicle models [3][4]. Group 2: Business Models - The industry is divided into two main camps regarding the commercialization of intelligent driving: those advocating for free access and those supporting a paid model [6][7]. - Tesla and Huawei represent the "charging camp," focusing on monetizing software services through one-time purchases or subscriptions, which has proven to be a lucrative model [6][7]. - A middle-ground approach is emerging, where companies embed hardware and offer software on a subscription basis, balancing hardware sales with potential software revenue [7][8]. Group 3: Cost Considerations - The cost of hardware for advanced driving systems is significant, with estimates ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 yuan per vehicle, impacting the profitability of companies adopting free models [9][10]. - R&D costs for advanced driving technologies are substantial, with leading companies investing billions annually, necessitating a sustainable business model to recoup these investments [9][10]. - The pressure to offer free intelligent driving features is leading to cost-cutting measures within the supply chain, affecting suppliers' margins [10][11]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The sustainability of the "intelligent driving free" model is under scrutiny, as companies must find a balance between cost absorption and future revenue generation [11][12]. - Some companies are beginning to see success through cost reduction strategies and scaling, indicating a potential path to profitability [12]. - The industry is expected to evolve towards a model where user experience and real value become the primary competitive factors, rather than just pricing strategies [13].