BMW has announced a strategic partnership with Huawei to integrate the tech giant’s HarmonyOS NEXT into its next-generation Neue Klasse electric vehicles produced in China. As and addition to Apple CarPlay, starting in 2026 Huawei HiCar will be available in Neue Klasse Vehicles in China. This gives owners of Huawei devices in China the opportunity to use Apps from the HarmonyOS ecosystem in their BMW.
This marks a significant step in the BMW’s localization strategy. BMW’s decision to include in their software stack Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT exclusively in China reflects the country’s rapid digital transformation and the growing preference for self-developed ecosystems. HarmonyOS NEXT, distinct from its previous iterations, operates independently of Google’s Android architecture, allowing Huawei to build a localized, fully integrated system.
The partnership underscores BMW’s increasing alignment with China’s tech ecosystem, where nearly 25% of its mobile application users rely on Huawei devices, according to BMW Group Region China President and CEO Sean Green. The collaboration aims to enhance in-car applications and digital connectivity for HarmonyOS users, ensuring seamless integration between Huawei smartphones and BMW vehicles.
HarmonyOS NEXT for China, iDrive X for Global Markets
Beyond software integration, BMW is accelerating its cooperation with Chinese technology partners, particularly in artificial intelligence, intelligent voice interaction, and large language models. With four major R&D centers in China—Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Nanjing—BMW has established its largest research footprint outside of Germany.
“China has emerged as a global engine of innovation,” Green stated. “Through collaboration with leading local technology partners in joint R&D and co-creation, BMW is leveraging its system integration expertise to advance local partnerships.”
As part of this push, BMW will introduce a Digital Key Plus function for HarmonyOS users in China later this year, allowing drivers to unlock, lock, and start their vehicles using Huawei smartphones. A more advanced smart interconnection solution is set to debut in 2026 with the launch of the locally produced Neue Klasse models.
