Shanghai (ZXZC)-BMW China announced on Dec. 16 that it teamed up with Alibaba, China's Internet giant, to develop smart voice-activated speaker, which will help realize the function of remote voice control for vehicles. This new technology is expected to be released in the first half of 2018.

Similar to Google Home and Amazon Alexa, the new technology will offer mobility management under various scenarios. With this technology, customers can manipulate BMW models at home. For example, customers can deliver an oral command to open the in-car air conditioner and turn up or turn down the temperature when they stay at home. In the future, the technology would be developed with more imaginary functions.

What's more, the cooperation between BMW and Alibaba signifies that foreign-owned brand can also offer localized internet service by partnering with Chinese technology companies, threatening both local brands and new brands.