Smart cockpit hit 41.0, intelligent driving 41.5, and exterior intelligence 24.4—all marking new annual highs. The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) released the Intelligentization Index report for China’s passenger car market in December 2025. Currently, the Passenger Car Intelligentization Index consists of three sub-indices: the Intelligent Cockpit Index, the Intelligent Driving Index, and the External-Vehicle Intelligence Index. Data shows that the Passenger Car Intelligentization Index for December 2025 was 38.7. Among the components, the Intelligent Cockpit Index was 41.0; the Intelligent Driving Index was 41.5; and the External-Vehicle Intelligence Index was 24.4. All three core sub-indices simultaneously refreshed their annual peaks. Overall, the two core areas of intelligent cockpit and intelligent driving have reached a relatively high level, while the experiential advantage of external-vehicle intelligence, which connects the car with the external environment, is not yet pronounced. Specifically, the Intelligent Driving Index reached 41.5, making it the most prominent performer among the three sub-indices. This is closely related to the rapid proliferation of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) technology within China’s automotive industry. According to industry experts at the 2025 China Automobile Chongqing Forum, the penetration rate of L2-level ADAS in new vehicles has approached 60%, and is expected to reach nearly 90% by 2030. Intelligent Driving Index Trend The Intelligent Cockpit Index was 41.0, essentially on par with the Intelligent Driving Index. This indicates that automotive intelligence is not only reflected in the driving process but has also become a key competitive focus for automakers in terms of in-cabin interactive experiences. Intelligent Cockpit Index Trend The weakest link is external-vehicle intelligence, with an index of only 24.4, significantly lagging behind the first two areas. This reflects that there is still considerable room for improvement in the intelligent synergy between vehicles and the external environment and infrastructure. External-Vehicle Intelligence Index Trend Behind the Intelligentization Index is the accelerating formation of the scale advantage of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. In December 2025, retail sales in the national passenger car market reached 2.261 million units, representing a year-on-year decrease of 14.0% and a month-on-month increase of 1.6%. Within this, the retail sales of new energy vehicles were 1.337 million units, marking a year-on-year increase of 2.6% and a month-on-month increase of 1.2%. The head of the New Energy Vehicle Research Department at the China Automotive Strategy and Policy Research Center pointed out that the trend of integration between vehicle electrification, intelligentization, and connectivity in the automotive industry will become even more pronounced.