GM envisions intelligent auto era

China is in the driver's seat when it comes to automotive electrification and vehicle-to-infrastructure connectivity, thanks in part to a strong government commitment to catapult the world's largest car market to the forefront of pioneering practices, according to a top executive from General Motors Co.

The rollout of V2X, or vehicle-to-everything communication, requires corresponding legislation and other endeavors, such as installing sensors on roads or making traffic lights smart, which are all ultimately critical to a smoother flow of traffic, said Matt Tsien, GM executive vice-president and president of GM China.

"Right now, V2X is not deployed on any sort of scale anywhere in the world," Tsien told China Daily in a recent interview. "China is in an environment where the government has the resolve. When they see the benefits to society... there's been a willingness to make an investment in infrastructure."