Tencent’s in-car WeChat to be introduced into BMW’s vehicles

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- German automaker BMW and Chinese Internet giant Tencent announced on July 27 that they have formed a new digital cooperation to introduce the “Tencent mini scenario” and the in-car WeChat application into BMW's vehicles.

(Photo source: BMW)

"Tencent Mini Scenario" is a cloud-based in-car light application ecology specifically designed for travelling scenarios. It requires no download and installation and supports voice interaction. To be launched in China this year, the application will offer abundant contents including news, foods, entertainment, trips as well as education.

Besides, the in-car version of WeChat, a popular messaging and social media app developed by Tencent, will be brought into BMW's vehicle models in the near future.

Two companies have continued to cement their collaboration in recent years. BWM and Tencent signed an agreement on July 19, 2019, saying they were ready to set up a computing center in China that helps the automaker develop autonomous cars in the world largest auto market.

The establishment of the center “will support BMW's autonomous driving development and innovation in China,” Jochen Goller, head of BMW's China operations, said then in a statement.

BMW said the new computing center would leverage Tencent's cloud computing and big data, and provide the automaker with infrastructure needed to develop the autonomous cars.

In September 2018, BMW Group and Tencent inked a strategic MoU (memorandum of understanding) to join force to evaluate the integration of Tencent's digital products and services and BMW Group's digital platform of car terminal and mobile terminal. Besides, both parties intended to explore the potential collaboration in such areas as the infotainment system and service, the underlying infrastructure as well as cybersecurity, etc.