Multiple automakers accelerate pivot into robotics

In early 2026, leading automakers from China and abroad—including Tesla, Chery, Hyundai, XPeng, and Seres—have all entered the robotics field. Tesla has even halted production of several of its best-selling vehicle models to convert existing automotive assembly lines into robot production lines, effectively “replacing old birds with new ones.” Industry insiders note that automakers’ foray into embodied intelligence is no longer seen as a distraction from their core business; rather, it represents a strategic move to push beyond traditional automotive boundaries following their successful transition to new energy vehicles. By expanding into robotics, automakers and their suppliers aim to redefine their value propositions and drive deeper integration among vehicles, humans, and machines, spearheading a new wave of transformation across the automotive supply chain.