China Automotive Systems Begins Mass Production of First iRCB Compatible L2+ Assisted Driving Systems for China Market

Rhea-AI Summary

China Automotive Systems (NASDAQ:CAAS) has commenced mass production of its second-generation iRCB (intelligent electro-hydraulic circulating ball power steering) system in China. The system, compatible with L2+ assisted driving, represents China's first iRCB of its kind and achieved mass production in just 8 months from project launch.

The innovative steering system demonstrates superior steering accuracy and response speed through advanced electro-hydraulic control technology. Notably, it is projected to deliver cost savings of approximately RMB 36,000 per vehicle annually through optimized energy consumption. Following successful initial production, the company received record-breaking new orders in July 2025.

Positive

• First-to-market achievement with China's first iRCB compatible L2+ assisted driving system
• Rapid development cycle of only 8 months from design to mass production
• Projected cost savings of RMB 36,000 per vehicle annually
• Record-breaking new orders received in July 2025

Negative

• None.

Insights

Automotive Technology Analyst

CAAS launches groundbreaking L2+ steering system for heavy vehicles, promising significant operational savings while advancing in China's autonomous driving market.

China Automotive Systems has achieved a notable milestone with its second-generation iRCB (intelligent electro-hydraulic circulating ball power steering) system entering mass production. The company has demonstrated remarkable efficiency by completing the entire process from design to mass production in just 8 months since the project's September 2024 launch.

What makes this development particularly significant is that this represents China's first iRCB system compatible with L2+ assisted driving technology. The system employs advanced electro-hydraulic control technology that achieves international benchmarks in two critical performance metrics: steering accuracy and response speed.

The economic proposition is compelling – the system is projected to reduce operational costs by nearly RMB 36,000 per vehicle annually. This substantial cost reduction explains the rapid market traction, with the company reporting record-breaking new orders in July following the initial mass production phase.

This product launch strengthens CAAS's competitive position in China's evolving autonomous driving ecosystem. The heavy-duty vehicle market represents a significant opportunity for assisted driving technologies, with operational efficiencies being a primary adoption driver. The rapid development timeline also demonstrates the company's R&D agility and close customer collaboration capabilities.

With the CEO stating that their iRCB products are on track to break new sales records for intelligent driving systems in China in 2025, this product launch appears poised to make a meaningful contribution to the company's financial performance while establishing CAAS as a technological leader in this specialized automotive subsector.

WUHAN, China, July 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAAS) ("CAAS" or the "Company"), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced that its L2+ standard electro-hydraulic steering system, a power steering system used in heavy-duty vehicles that utilizes both hydraulic power and electronic controls to assist with steering, has entered mass production in China.  Following the iRCB 's outstanding performance and cost-efficiency demonstrated in the first month of mass production, new orders in July were placed by customers setting a new record in the power steering industry for the ramp up to mass production. 

The second-generation iRCB (intelligent electro-hydraulic circulating ball power steering) developed by the Company's subsidiary, Shashi Jiulong, has officially entered mass production in China.  Since the project was launched in September 2024, it took only 8 months to complete the entire process for design, verification and mass production, demonstrating CAAS' efficiency in collaboration with its customers.

As China's first iRCB compatible with L2+assisted driving, this system utilizes cutting-edge electro-hydraulic control technology to achieve internationally leading benchmarks in steering accuracy and response speed.  By optimizing energy consumption, it is projected to reduce operational costs by nearly RMB 36,000 per vehicle annually, delivering substantial economic value to users. 

Mr. Qizhou Wu, the Chief Executive Officer of CAAS, commented, "We continue to pioneer proprietary steering technologies that deliver cutting-edge solutions for our customers. Our iRCB products are on track to break new sales records for intelligent driving systems in China in 2025, thanks to their superior performance and substantial cost efficiencies.  China is now arguably the world's most innovative automotive market.  As we advance the industrialization of technology-packed steering solutions, we are playing a key role in accelerating the auto industry's transition toward autonomous driving.  We look forward to further expanding our intelligent steering portfolio and strengthening our leadership in this rapidly evolving market."

About China Automotive Systems, Inc.

Based in Hubei Province, the People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through its sixteen Sino-foreign joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers four separate series of power steering with an annual production capacity of over 8 million sets of steering gears, columns and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading auto manufacturers, such as China FAW Group, Corp., Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., BYD Auto Company Limited, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. in China, and Stellantis N.V. and Ford Motor Company in North America. For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Our actual results may differ materially from the results described in or anticipated by our forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties. As a result, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2025, and in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any of these factors and other factors beyond our control, could have an adverse effect on the overall business environment, cause uncertainties in the regions where we conduct business, cause our business to suffer in ways that we cannot predict, and materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. A prolonged disruption or any further unforeseen delay in our operations of the manufacturing, delivery and assembly process within any of our production facilities could continue to result in delays in the shipment of products to our customers, increased costs and reduced revenue. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to any forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Jie Li
Chief Financial Officer
China Automotive Systems, Inc.
jieli@chl.com.cn 

Kevin Theiss
Awaken Advisors
+1-212-521-4050
Kevin@awakenlab.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-automotive-systems-begins-mass-production-of-first-ircb-compatible-l2-assisted-driving-systems-for-china-market-302500911.html

SOURCE China Automotive Systems, Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of CAAS's new iRCB steering system for the automotive industry?

CAAS's iRCB system is China's first L2+ assisted driving compatible steering system, offering superior steering accuracy and response speed while reducing operational costs by RMB 36,000 per vehicle annually.

How long did it take CAAS to develop and launch the new iRCB steering system?

CAAS completed the entire process from design to mass production in just 8 months, launching the project in September 2024.

What cost savings does the CAAS iRCB steering system provide?

The system is projected to reduce operational costs by RMB 36,000 per vehicle annually through optimized energy consumption.

What is CAAS's market position in China's automotive steering systems?

CAAS is a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, pioneering intelligent steering technologies and playing a key role in the transition toward autonomous driving.

How has the market responded to CAAS's new iRCB steering system?

The market response has been strong, with the company receiving record-breaking new orders in July 2025 following the system's successful first month of mass production.