(Yicai Global) Aug. 29 -- Microsoft released its first overall solutions for the new energy vehicle industry at a forum yesterday. They will help Chinese electric car manufacturers to better access global markets, The Paper reported yesterday, citing the chairman of Microsoft China.

Microsoft’s new offerings in the automotive, mobility and transportation industries will allow Chinese car manufacturers to meet the necessary safety and compliance regulations overseas, Hou Yang, who is also chief executive officer, said at the fourth World New Energy Vehicle Congress held in Beijing yesterday. They will promote innovation and the upgrading of autonomous driving systems and smart cockpits.

Chinese auto companies that wish to expand abroad need a local operations partner to conform with data privacy, compliance and security regulations in different countries, said Yuan Yituo, general manager of Microsoft China's enterprise commercial division.

Microsoft Azure is already a popular cloud computing and operations service for many Chinese carmakers. Great Wall Motor uses it overseas. BMW Brilliance, a joint venture between Germany’s GMW and China’s Brilliance Auto, adopts its Big Data and Internet of Things services and solutions while electric car startup Xpeng Motors makes use of its automotive-grade voice assistant.

“Microsoft has no plan to manufacture cars. Washington-based Microsoft’s principle in the automotive industry is not to directly participate in competition, but to focus on serving customers in the sector,” Yuan added.

Editor: Kim Taylor