Shenlong Technology, the Chinese joint venture that operates Peugeot, Citroen and Jeep in the country, has signed a global strategic partnership with autonomous-driving company Momenta. The deal, announced on September 24 in Shanghai, covers intelligent driver assistance and higher-level autonomous driving, with the first new-energy models from the tie-up planned to launch from 2027, according to NetEase Auto.
Shenlong Technology was formally established in Wuhan on August 20, backed by six shareholders including Dongfeng Motor, Stellantis and several state-linked investment groups, with registered capital of about 8.2 billion yuan (roughly $1.16 billion). Shenlong Automobile, the 34-year-old venture that builds Peugeot and Citroen models in China, holds around 24.1 percent and is the largest shareholder. The new company is tasked with developing new-energy vehicles for both China and global markets.
World models meet French and American driving DNA
Under the agreement, Momenta will supply its world-model technology, which combines pre-training, closed-loop simulation, reinforcement learning and end-to-end ADAS algorithms, for a first batch of several all-new Shenlong models. These will span battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains and cover off-road, urban commuting and family-use scenarios. The vehicles are also planned to enter European and other global markets.
Shenlong Technology general manager Lv Haitao framed the tie-up as a way to blend French ride comfort and Jeep's off-road capability with Chinese AI expertise. Momenta CEO Cao Xudong said the goal is to let brands such as Peugeot and Jeep keep their distinct characters in the intelligent-driving era rather than being homogenised by technology.
The partnership goes beyond software integration. The two companies will jointly develop chassis control, using a brake management controller to enable independent, precise adjustment of braking pressure on all four wheels. That allows the ADAS system to distribute braking force differently on low-grip surfaces such as ice and snow, and to execute tighter parking manoeuvres by braking individual wheels. For Jeep models, the companies aim to extend intelligent-driving capability to unpaved roads and complex terrain, building on the brand's four-wheel-drive and all-terrain calibration expertise.
Chinese tech, global brands
Momenta, founded in 2016, describes itself as a physical-AI company focused on world models and data-flywheel development. For Shenlong, the cooperation marks its first strategic technology partnership since the new company was set up, and is intended to be more than a simple ADAS supplier relationship. The companies said they will jointly define function scenarios, develop product experiences and adapt steering and braking execution to preserve the driving feel of French-branded models.
The first four all-new Shenlong models are scheduled to roll out from 2027, with the Momenta-equipped versions expected to reach Europe and other overseas markets. The deal gives Momenta a new global deployment channel for its world-model and driver-assistance technology, while Shenlong gains access to Chinese-developed intelligent-driving capabilities it can apply across its Peugeot, Citroen and Jeep line-ups.
