Skoda teams up with Banma to co-work on Internet car

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC Volkswagen-operated Skoda and Banma Network Technology, an Internet car solution provider initiated by Alibaba Group and SAIC Motor, signed a cooperation agreement on March 12, according to Skoda.

Both parties announced that the AliOS-based Banma operating system will be installed into a number of Skoda-branded models. The first cooperative fruit—the Skoda Octavia Intelligent Model equipped with Banma's system, will soon hit the market.

The Octavia, hitting China's market in 2007, is Skoda's first locally-produced model in this country. From the time being, over 1.3 million Octavia cars have been delivered in the world's largest automobile market. The soon-to-be-launched Octavia Intelligent Model will be priced from RMB119,900 to RMB169,900, providing users with extra infotainment services and intelligent-connected experience with the same prices as that of the existing model.

It is worth mentioning that the Banma operating system implanted in the new model is available for OTA upgrading. According to the tech company's official website, Banma's system had experienced 6 times of OTA upgrading in 2017.

Michael Arndt, Executive Director of Skoda Marketing & Sales Business of SAIC Volkswagen, revealed that Skoda will conduct in-depth collaboration with Banma, the global leading Internet car platform and such models as the Superb and the Karoq will be outfitted with Banma's operating system in the future.