2026 marks the year of brake-by-wire in China. GB 21670-2025 braking standards and GB 17675-2025 steering standards take effect, with intelligent chassis domain controller penetration expected to rise from 20% to over 60% between 2026-2032. Chinese suppliers are breaking foreign Tier 1 monopolies in braking, steering, and suspension.
Policy Wave: 2026 as the Inflection Point
2026 sees a concentrated wave of intelligent chassis standards in China's automotive industry:
- GB 21670-2025: Effective January 2026, first mandatory national standard to include EMB (Electro-Mechanical Brake) technical specifications
- GB 17675-2025: Effective July 2026, formally removes mandatory mechanical connection requirements for steer-by-wire systems, unlocking mass production
- T/CSAE 466-2025/467-2025: Group standards for intelligent chassis domain controller hardware safety and communication interfaces
These standards mark the transition from "technology exploration" to "compliant mass production." Features once exclusive to million-yuan luxury vehicles—steer-by-wire four-wheel steering and fully active suspension—are now available in 300K-yuan models.
Technology Generations: From 1.0 to 3.0
Intelligent chassis evolution follows three distinct stages:
| Stage | Characteristic | Representative Tech | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Electrification | Independent subsystem control | ABS, ESP, EPS | 2010-2020 |
| 2.0 Domain Control | Domain controller coordination | EHB, CDC, One-Box | 2020-2026 |
| 3.0 AI Integration | Full-domain AI control | EMB, SBW, Active Suspension | 2026+ |
In 2026, the industry stands at the critical junction between 2.0 and 3.0. EMB, SBW, and fully active suspension are simultaneously entering volume production.
Brake-by-Wire: One-Box Dominates, EMB Kicks Off Replacement Cycle
In 2025, EHB penetration reached 58.1%, with One-Box accounting for 76%—near standard for NEVs. EMB eliminates all hydraulic lines, using motor-driven calipers with 30%+ faster response than EHB, reducing 100km/h braking distance by 2.62 meters, and improving energy recovery efficiency from 60-70% to 85-90%.
Bertelli leads domestically with the world's first ASIL-D certified EMB, beginning deliveries in March 2026. Coordinate Intelligent, a Chinese company with annual revenue of approximately 20M yuan, achieved the first EMB mass production in April 2026 (Chery Exeed EX7). 2026 is the EMB volume delivery year.
Steer-by-Wire: Regulatory Breakthrough, SBW Moves to Front-Line
EPS penetration has reached 99.4%. SBW was constrained by regulations for 12 years. 2025 was the turning point: ZF supplied NIO ET9 with China's first SBW. With GB17675-2025 removing mechanical connection requirements, Nexteer mass-produces for Li Auto L9 in 2026, Bosch Huayu for IM/PX. Research institute forecasts SBW penetration exceeding 10% by 2030.
Industry Reshaping: Chinese Suppliers Enter Tier 1 Core Territory
Intelligent chassis offers a prime window to observe China's supply chain rise. Braking and steering were previously strongholds of Bosch, Continental, and ZF. But brake-by-wire has reopened competition.
Key shifts at three levels:
- Chinese suppliers moving up: Bertelli expanded from braking to steering and suspension; Baolong from TPMS to air suspension; Gelub from One-Box to EMB and chassis domain controllers
- Global Tier 1 deepening China presence: ZF's steer-by-wire produced in Zhangjiagang debuted on NIO ET9, with China teams leading design; Bosch projects over 7B euros in cumulative brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire sales by 2032
- New entrants leveraging technology transition: Coordinate Intelligent bet directly on EMB to secure a position at the new starting line
The core of competition has shifted:
The old question: "Foreign product costs 1000 yuan, can Chinese companies do it for 700?"
The new question: "What chassis does the next-generation car need? After the AD system plans the trajectory, who executes it precisely?"
Competition is moving from "who can build better parts" to "who can control the vehicle better." China's solution is rewriting the global intelligent chassis power map. For deeper analysis, visit EX1000.COM.
