HONOR, a global AI device ecosystem company, and BYD, China’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, formalized their strategic partnership on October 24, 2025, in India. The collaboration will integrate HONOR’s vehicle connectivity solution with BYD’s DiLink smart ecosystem, focusing on developing AI-powered features for connected vehicles.
The partnership represents an expansion of existing cooperation between the two companies. Their collaboration began in 2023 when they introduced smartphone NFC car keys allowing BYD owners to lock and unlock vehicles using HONOR smartphones. The relationship expanded in 2024 to include in-vehicle fast charging capabilities.
Under the new agreement, DENZA, a BYD brand, has become the first to adopt HONOR Car Connect technology. The companies plan to extend this coverage across additional BYD brands to enable cross-device interaction and service continuity between smartphones and vehicles.
The partnership will focus on three main areas: joint innovation in cross-device ecosystem integration and AI agent integration, establishing collaborative channel models to maximize platform interoperability, and coordinated marketing efforts around product launches.
James Li, CEO of HONOR, stated that the partnership represents “a comprehensive collaboration for the AI era, with smart mobility as the key strategic focus.” The agreement was signed by Fang Fei, President of Products at HONOR, and Yang Dongsheng, Senior Vice President of BYD and President of the Automotive New Technology Research Institute.
BYD, founded in 1995, has emerged as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of electric vehicles and batteries. The company reported selling over 3 million new energy vehicles in 2024, maintaining its position as a global leader in the electric vehicle market.
HONOR, which separated from Huawei in 2020, has established itself as an independent technology company focusing on smartphones and AI-powered devices.
The automotive industry has seen increasing integration between smartphone manufacturers and vehicle makers as companies seek to create seamless connectivity experiences. Similar partnerships include Apple’s CarPlay, Google’s Android Automotive, and Samsung’s collaboration with various automakers.
CP Khandelwal, CEO of PSAV Global, HONOR’s official smartphone partner, noted that the collaboration “reflects our shared vision of creating an interconnected, AI-driven world where devices, vehicles, and lifestyles work in harmony.”
The companies plan to showcase their collaborative technologies at the 2025 HONOR Global Developers Conference and AI Device Ecosystem Conference, scheduled for October 23, where HONOR will demonstrate its AI Connect platform and its applications in creating scenario-based AI solutions.
Future development will focus on advancing phone-to-car connectivity, digital keys, and safety features. The partnership aims to establish new standards for device-to-vehicle integration in the electric vehicle market, though specific product release dates and pricing information have not been announced.
The collaboration comes as the global electric vehicle market continues to expand, with China remaining the world’s largest EV market, accounting for approximately 60% of global electric vehicle sales in 2024. Integration of AI and connectivity features has become a key differentiator for automakers seeking to attract technology-focused consumers.