Shenlong Technology, the Chinese venture behind Peugeot, Citroen and Jeep in the country, has signed a global strategic cooperation agreement with autonomous-driving software company Momenta. The deal, announced on September 24 in Shanghai, covers user experience, driver assistance and higher-level automated driving, with the first jointly developed new-energy models planned for launch from 2027.
According to Sina Auto, the partnership will combine the vehicle capabilities of shareholders Dongfeng Motor and Stellantis with Momenta's AI driving technology. Shenlong will contribute its chassis-tuning expertise across Peugeot, Citroen and Jeep models, while Momenta brings its "world model"-based intelligent driving system, which uses pre-trained models, closed-loop simulation, reinforcement learning and end-to-end algorithms to move from simply detecting road conditions to understanding the physical world and predicting outcomes.
Brand character in the age of AI
Executives from both companies stressed that the collaboration is about preserving brand identity. Shenlong Technology general manager Lü Haitao said the partnership is the first strategic technical cooperation since the company was founded, describing it as a deep integration of French-style driving comfort, Jeep's off-road expertise and China's leading physical AI capabilities. Momenta CEO Cao Xudong added that intelligence should not erase brand character, but allow brands like Peugeot and Jeep to continue their distinct driving personalities in the smart era.
The tie-up will see the two companies jointly define functional scenarios, develop product experiences, and calibrate chassis and system integration. The aim is to make technology serve users in daily driving, from city commutes and highway trips to complex parking, icy roads and off-road conditions. On low-friction surfaces, the system can distribute braking force individually to each wheel to keep automatic emergency braking stable, and precise single-wheel braking enables tighter turns and more accurate parking trajectories.
Global rollout from 2027
Momenta, founded in 2016, describes itself as a physical AI company with a "data flywheel" approach, pursuing both mass-production driver assistance and scalable robotaxi operations. Its latest world model integrates multimodal inputs to generate high-level driving decisions, allowing the system to adapt dynamically rather than follow fixed rules.
New Shenlong models will feature Momenta's world model and support continuous over-the-air updates. The vehicles will be offered in battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) forms, covering off-road, urban commuting and family scenarios. The companies plan to extend the cooperation globally, with vehicles entering European and other international markets.
