Nissan follows BYD by bringing DeepSeek tech to its new N7 EV

Nissan is the latest to adopt DeepSeek tech for its new EV in China, the N7. The N7 will be the first joint venture brand electric car to feature DeepSeek’s R1 as the Japanese automaker fights to turn things around in the world’s largest EV market.

Nissan N7 EV will challenge BYD with DeepSeek tech

Nissan’s Chinese joint venture, Dongfeng Nissan, has high hopes that its new N7 electric sedan can help charge up the brand.

The company announced on Wednesday that its new N7 EV is “The first real car of a joint venture car company connected to the DeepSeek R1 deep reasoning model.”

Dongfeng Nissan’s vice president, Zhou Feng, said the company has been “working hard to provide the best intelligent experience.” Ahead of the lantern festival, Nissan completed the N7 real car access to DeepSeek “at the fastest speed,” he added.

The move comes as Nissan looks to keep pace with EV leaders in China, like BYD, which also revealed plans to integrate DeepSeek into its EV models this week.

Nissan unveiled the N7 electric sedan at the Guangzhou Auto Show. It is widely viewed as an answer to Tesla’s Model 3.

At 4,930 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, 1,487 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,915 mm, the N7 is slightly longer than the Model 3 (4,720 mm long, 1,848 mm wide, 1,442 mm tall, 2,875 mm wheelbase).

The N7 is Nissan’s first dedicated EV underpinned by Dongfeng’s new modular platform, offering “a stress-free driving experience, superior comfort, and a suite of intelligent technology.”

Zhou Feng claimed the new Nissan N7 is “equipped with the industry’s first-tier high-end intelligent driving system.”

Nissan also uses Momenta’s “Navigate on Autopilot” for smart driving features, such as high-speed navigation, city memory navigation, and full-scenario intelligent parking.

DeepSeek’s R1 modeling enables the N7 to better understand the driver’s intent to provide a smoother, more human-machine interaction.

Nissan has yet to announce prices for the new N7 EV or an official launch date. Check back soon for more info.

Electrek’s Take

Like most foreign automakers, Nissan is struggling to stay afloat in China, where EV makers like BYD and XPeng are quickly gaining market share.

Japanese automakers have been some of the most brutal hit. Nissan’s sales fell another 15% in China last year after slumping 33% in 2023.

Meanwhile, BYD just upgraded 21 of its top-selling vehicles with its “Gods Eye” ADAS system for free as it expands into smart driving. Even its most affordable EVs, like the Seagull starting at under $10,000 (69,900 yuan) is getting the new tech.

Can the N7 help Nissan turn things around in China? Or will the Japanese automaker continue losing out to domestic EV leaders like BYD? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.