ByteDance denies car-making plans, underscores AI services role for automakers

by CHEN Xiaotong

ByteDance on Jan 7 denied reports that it is jointly developing cars with automakers, saying it has no plans to enter vehicle manufacturing.

"This is untrue. ByteDance has no car-making plans," a company spokesperson said.

The denial follows similar clarifications in the past. In July last year, Volcano Engine, ByteDance's cloud and AI services unit, told Jiemian News that online claims it was preparing a "Doubao car" were entirely unfounded, stressing that it provides algorithm training platforms to automakers but does not develop autonomous-driving products.

Volcano Engine says it focuses on the Doubao large language model and AI-native cloud technologies, offering end-to-end services from agent development to deployment to support enterprise AI adoption.

The platform counts several major automakers among its clients, including Changan Automobile, GAC Aion, Lynk & Co and SAIC Motor, covering applications from algorithm training and intelligent cockpits to digital marketing.

In April last year, BMW Brilliance's digital unit Lingyue partnered with Volcano Engine to explore AI applications in automotive marketing, aimed at improving customer purchasing experiences and dealer efficiency.

In September, ByteDance said it had upgraded a strategic cooperation agreement with Mercedes-Benz, expanding collaboration from in-car content to AI and big-data capabilities across intelligent cockpits, driver assistance, R&D and customer operations.

Beyond software services, ByteDance has also partnered with automakers on embodied intelligence. In October, Seres Group said a subsidiary signed a framework agreement with Beijing Volcano Engine Technology to jointly develop multimodal, cloud-edge robotics technologies for automotive applications.

Separately, ByteDance's Doubao team and ZTE launched a "Doubao phone" late last year that sold out quickly, with resale prices rising on secondary platforms. Market sources say Doubao AI smart glasses are also approaching the shipment stage.