Key Takeaways
- HERE Technologies will exhibit its AI‑powered mapping and location solutions at Auto China 2026, reinforcing its role as a strategic partner for Chinese automakers expanding globally.
- In 2025, all ten of the top Chinese automakers by export volume were HERE customers, underscoring deep, long‑standing partnerships and rapid adoption of HERE’s technology.
- The company’s location platform powers 238 million vehicles worldwide, with over 63 million using HERE data for driver‑assistance and automated‑driving functions.
- At the show, HERE will demonstrate lane‑level guidance, intelligent‑driving map layers, and its full‑stack HERE Navigation software, which is slated to ship in more than two million vehicles across 30 countries.
- HERE’s investments in live maps, virtual test environments, and SDV development tools (including SceneXtract and the SDV Accelerator) aim to accelerate software‑defined vehicle innovation and reduce complexity for automakers.
Introduction: HERE’s Presence at Auto China 2026
At Auto China 2026, HERE Technologies reaffirms its commitment to supporting the international growth of Chinese automotive brands. As the leading global provider of mapping and location data, HERE uses the Beijing‑based showcase to highlight how its AI‑enhanced location intelligence enables Chinese automakers to deliver safe, intelligent driving experiences worldwide. The event serves as a platform for HERE to illustrate the breadth of its partnerships, the depth of its technology stack, and the tangible impact of its solutions on vehicles already on the road and those still in development.
Market Penetration and Partnerships with Chinese Automakers
HERE’s influence in China’s automotive sector is quantifiable: in 2025, every one of the ten top Chinese automakers by export volume relied on HERE’s location platform. This statistic reflects not only long‑standing relationships but also accelerating adoption as these brands pursue aggressive overseas expansion. By supplying consistent, globally compliant map data and software tools, HERE helps Chinese OEMs meet divergent regional regulations while preserving the performance and user experience that define their vehicles. The partnership model—often described as “in China, for global”—positions HERE as a trusted enabler of cross‑border mobility innovation.
Technology Showcase: AI‑Powered Mapping and Location Intelligence
At the Auto China booth, HERE will present its industry‑leading location platform, recognized as the #1 location platform globally in Omdia’s 2025 Location Platform Index. The demonstration includes automotive‑grade map data, advanced software tools, and AI‑driven location intelligence that underpin everything from basic navigation to sophisticated driver‑assistance systems. Visitors will see how LIVE map updates, powered by AI, deliver fresher, more accurate geographic information, enabling vehicles to react intelligently to changing road conditions, construction zones, and traffic patterns in real time.
Intelligent Cockpit Innovation and Global‑Scale Navigation
HERE Navigation, a full‑stack navigation solution trusted by leading automakers worldwide, is expected to ship in more than two million vehicles across 30 countries over the next few years. Built on HERE’s streaming map for maximum freshness and accuracy, the software offers high‑fidelity rendering, smooth user interaction, and fast, predictive routing. When combined with HERE’s intelligent driving map layers, automakers can unify premium cockpit experiences with Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) functionality, delivering a seamless, driver‑centric interface that works consistently across borders.
High‑Precision Data for NOA and Regulatory Compliance
As navigation, driver assistance, and automated driving systems converge, a unified, AI‑powered live map has become essential for delivering a smooth driving experience. At Auto China, HERE will spotlight its latest lane‑level guidance and intelligent‑driving map layers, which provide the precise geometry, localization support, and contextual road information required for L2++, L3, and global NOA deployments. Moreover, HERE’s ISA Map—used by more than 90 brands from over 40 automakers to satisfy European Intelligent Speed Assistance regulations—demonstrates the company’s ability to supply safety‑critical, compliance‑ready data at scale, a capability that is increasingly vital as autonomous features proliferate.
Accelerating Software‑Defined Vehicle (SDV) Development
Looking beyond traditional navigation, HERE is investing heavily in next‑generation mapmaking that supports Software‑Defined Vehicle development across the automotive ecosystem. This includes live maps, virtualized test environments, and SDV development tools such as HERE and AWS’ SceneXtract and the SDV Accelerator, now enriched with ecosystem partners like Upstream and Remotive Labs. These capabilities enable end‑to‑end AI training, sensor‑fusion development, verification and validation simulations, and in‑vehicle deployment, helping automakers reduce complexity and accelerate the rollout of next‑generation intelligent driving features.
Event Details and Call to Action
Attendees can explore HERE’s latest technologies and demonstrations at Hall A4, booth #A414. The showcase offers hands‑on experiences with live map streaming, AI‑enhanced lane‑level guidance, and cockpit integration solutions. Media inquiries should be directed to Vanessa Lee at HERE Technologies ([email protected]). For further information on HERE’s portfolio and its four‑decade legacy of mapping innovation, visit here.com.
Conclusion: Enabling Global Mobility Through Precise Location Intelligence
HERE Technologies’ participation at Auto China 2026 underscores a clear narrative: Chinese automakers are among the most innovative players in the global automotive arena, and their international success hinges on reliable, AI‑driven location data. By providing a unified, continually refreshed map platform, advanced navigation software, and compliance‑ready data layers, HERE empowers these brands to deliver consistent, safe, and intelligent driving experiences wherever their vehicles operate. The collaborations highlighted at the show not only reinforce existing partnerships but also pave the way for future advancements in software‑defined vehicles, automated driving, and intelligent cockpits, cementing HERE’s role as a pivotal force in the worldwide mobility transformation.