BMW Ditches L3 Autopilot Due to Weak Demand, Shifts to Cost-Effective L2

BMW has officially confirmed it will no longer offer the Level 3 autonomous driving system "Personal Pilot L3" on the upcoming facelifted 7 Series (G70 LCI). Although the system enables hands-free and eyes-off-the-road driving at speeds up to 60 km/h, its performance is limited in construction zones, rainy conditions, and low temperatures. Additionally, its high optional price of €5,110 (approximately RMB 40,000) has led to low market acceptance and an inability to achieve profitability. BMW’s head of development stated that while the company remains committed to exploring higher-level autonomous driving technologies, a viable business model must first be established. Instead, the new 7 Series and the soon-to-be-released all-electric 3 Series will feature the more cost-effective Symbiotic Drive Level 2 system, priced at around €1,450. This L2 system includes traffic light recognition and automatic stop-and-go functionality but requires drivers to keep their eyes on the road. The Symbiotic Drive L2 system will debut in the U.S. market this summer with the iX3.