Alibaba's Qwen AI to Enhance Cars with Voice Features, Partners Announced

Alibaba (BABA) announced its Qwen AI model will be integrated into vehicles from several automakers including BYD, Geely, and Volkswagen's local joint venture. This integration aims to enhance in-car digital services amid a slowing electric vehicle market. The announcement was made during the Beijing Auto Show 2026, where Audi revealed its E7X electric SUV, which will begin presales on May 8. Qwen will enable voice commands for ordering food, booking hotels, and various digital tasks, marking a move towards differentiated software features in electric vehicles.