Chinese semiconductor company Axera has expanded into the European automotive market with its driver-assistance chip fitted to a Leapmotor electric hatchback, believed to be the B05.
Axera previously identified the Leapmotor Lafa 5, sold internationally as the B05, as a production application for its M55 driver-assistance chip.
The chip uses Axera’s proprietary AXNeutron neural processing unit, which supports bird’s-eye-view (BEV) perception models to help the vehicle interpret its surroundings.
It also incorporates artificial intelligence-based image processing capable of handling eight-megapixel camera footage at 50 frames per second.
According to Axera, the technology improves recognition of pedestrians, cyclists and road signs under challenging lighting conditions, including rain, tunnels and backlit environments.
The chip entered mass production in China in April 2026 and is now being installed in more than 50,000 vehicles monthly, the company said.
Axera reported shipments of 420,000 automotive intelligent system-on-chips (SoCs) during the first half of 2026, alongside 24 new design wins.
Its automotive customers span 25 vehicle brands, including seven international and joint-venture manufacturers.
The European deployment comes as Leapmotor accelerates its overseas expansion through Leapmotor International, its joint venture with Stellantis.
Leapmotor delivered 666,539 vehicles globally in the first nine months of 2026, including more than 150,000 exports.
