Horizon-Omway Venture Secures $200M Boost for Smart Driving Push
Smart Driving Startup Zhijia Dali Revs Up With Major Funding
The autonomous vehicle sector just got another serious contender. Zhijia Dali, the brainchild of Chinese AI chipmaker Horizon Robotics and automotive supplier Omway Group (formerly Continental's auto division), has turbocharged its ambitions with a $200 million funding injection.
Investor Confidence Signals Market Potential
A consortium of heavyweight investors lined up behind this round, including:
- Yunchufeng Fund
- Dacheng Capital (partnering with Guochen Venture Capital)
- Hun Dun Investment
- Bi Hong Investment
- Ningbo Tongshang Fund
Notably, both parent companies—Horizon and Omway—doubled down with additional investments. "This isn't just about capital," observes industry analyst Li Wenjie. "When strategic investors increase their stakes, it's a strong vote of confidence in the technology roadmap."
From Domestic Success to Global Ambitions
The joint venture combines Horizon's cutting-edge AI driving algorithms with Omway's automotive supply chain muscle—a pairing that's already paying dividends. Zhijia Dali has quietly secured contracts with multiple Chinese automakers, though specific models remain under wraps.
Dong Huaijin of lead investor Yunchufeng Fund revealed an intriguing detail: "They've already cracked overseas mass production—something many Chinese auto tech firms struggle with." This international foothold likely influenced investor enthusiasm for the startup's global expansion plans.
What's Next for Intelligent Driving?
The funding comes as China's autonomous vehicle market hits an inflection point. While full self-driving remains years away, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are becoming standard equipment—creating fertile ground for Zhijia Dali's solutions.
The company plans to use its war chest to:
- Scale production of current ADAS products
- Accelerate R&D on next-gen autonomous systems
- Establish overseas operations beyond initial footholds
- Recruit top engineering talent globally
Key Points:
- $200M funding round closed with major industry backers
- Strategic investors Horizon and Omway increased their stakes
- Production-ready tech already deployed domestically and abroad
- Global expansion prioritized alongside product development
- Talent acquisition expected to ramp up significantly