The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with three other ministries, on Tuesday identified nine research groups to participate in a pilot program for the access approval and road testing of intelligent connected vehicles.

The move is part of China's broad efforts to orderly promote the pilot program of smart connected vehicles, aiming to enhance safety, efficiency, and innovation within the automotive industry.

The nine research groups that have passed the selection phase for the pilot program include BYD, Nio, Changan Auto and FAW Group.

The MIIT said the pilot program will be implemented in five stages: pilot application, product access trial, road access trial, pilot suspension and exit, and evaluation and adjustment.

The ministry highlighted that the current stage only completes the selection phase for pilot applications, and it does not signify that intelligent connected vehicles with autonomous driving capabilities have obtained approval or are permitted to operate on the road.

The next step will involve guiding the selected consortia through the implementation of the pilot program, the four ministries said.