AutoNavi
AutoNavi (Amap) is a Chinese digital map and navigation provider, operating as an Alibaba subsidiary, that delivers HD maps, a consumer navigation app, an international automotive SDK, and ride-hailing aggregation to Chinese consumers, OEMs, and ride-hailing operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersHaidian, China
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What AutoNavi does
AutoNavi (branded as Amap, especially outside Mainland China) is a Chinese digital map content and navigation provider founded in 2001 and currently operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group Holding. The company's core offering is a unified navigation and location-based services platform that combines a consumer-facing mobile app (distributed across iOS, Android, HarmonyOS, and Google Play), an international automotive AutoSDK for OEM in-car navigation, and an HD map data business serving Chinese automakers for ADAS-equipped and autonomous-driving vehicles.
The underlying technology stack centers on a multi-modal geospatial platform that aggregates real-time traffic intelligence from a network of more than 1.8 million professional traffic cameras, processes structured location, traffic, and transportation data, and applies optimization, predictive analytics, and computer-vision capabilities to power route recommendation, incident detection, mixed-mode transit planning, and POI recommendations. The international version of the AutoSDK extends the platform to 170+ countries with support for 19 languages, positioning AutoNavi as a Google Maps alternative for Chinese OEMs exporting vehicles abroad.
AutoNavi monetizes across at least four streams: in-app advertising and local-services listings on the free consumer app, transaction and take-rate fees from ride-hailing and ride-sharing aggregation, HD map data licensing to Chinese automotive OEMs (where it leads with 51.1% China share in 2025 per Gasgoo), and AutoSDK/in-car navigation licensing to Chinese automakers expanding internationally. The company also operates an Amap ride-hailing platform that aggregates car-hailing providers and, as of November 2025, Level 4 robotaxi services in partnership with Xpeng Motors, with stated intent to expand that offering internationally.
AutoNavi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AutoNavi
- Legal name
- AutoNavi
- Website
- https://mobile.amap.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- AutoNavi (Amap) is a Chinese digital map and navigation provider, operating as an Alibaba subsidiary, that delivers HD maps, a consumer navigation app, an international automotive SDK, and ride-hailing aggregation to Chinese consumers, OEMs, and ride-hailing operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AutoNavi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Maps and Navigation
- akta.pro primary industry
- HD Maps & Localization for Autonomous/ADAS (BPAMANAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autonomous Driving & ADAS Perception (HDAAAEAI), Video Telematics, ADAS & AI Dashcams (TLAEAFAG)
Keywords
Where AutoNavi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Haidian
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
AutoNavi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Advertising (in-app, local services): The Amap app surfaces local information services (explore nearby, dining, lodging, entertainment, multi-source reviews and price comparison) which generate ad and merchant listing revenue from a large consumer user base.
- Ride-hailing and ride-sharing platform commissions: Amap operates a car-hailing and ride-sharing marketplace connecting riders with multiple vehicle providers (in Mainland China and expanding internationally), taking a take-rate / transaction commission on each ride booked through the app.
- Transaction / booking fees on mobility services: Amap aggregates car-hailing requests (multiple vehicle options, simultaneous dispatch) and ride-sharing, generating transaction-based fees per completed booking.
- HD map licensing to automotive OEMs: AutoNavi licenses its HD map data to OEMs for use in ADAS-equipped and autonomous-driving vehicles, with 51.1% share of the China HD map market in 2025 (52.1% Jan-Nov 2025; 44% Jan 2026), implying recurring/per-unit licensing revenue tied to vehicle production.
- AutoSDK and in-car navigation licensing (international): AutoNavi sells an international AutoSDK to Chinese automakers expanding abroad for in-car navigation, covering 170+ countries and 19 languages — a B2B SDK/embedded licensing revenue stream.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Consumer app — free download with in-app advertising and ride-hailing transactions |
| Other | Multi-year contract | AutoSDK and HD map licensing — quote-based, not publicly disclosed |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
AutoNavi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AutoNavi (branded Amap) builds and operates a multi-modal geospatial platform combining HD maps for autonomous driving, real-time traffic intelligence, consumer navigation, and ride-hailing aggregation. It sells an international AutoSDK to automotive OEMs for in-car navigation, and licenses HD map data to Chinese automakers for ADAS-equipped vehicles. Its consumer Amap app provides navigation, ride-hailing, public transit, bike routing, and local information services.
Product overview
AutoNavi (branded as "Amap" internationally) operates a unified navigation and location-based services platform spanning consumer mobile apps, B2B HD map products, and embedded automotive SDKs. The consumer-facing Amap platform is the core product, organized into four primary modules: Navigation (with real-time traffic updates, best route recommendations, and 180W+ traffic cameras), Ridesharing (Car-hailing and Ride Sharing), Transportation (Real-time Bus, Shared Bike, Electric-bike, and Mixed-route Planning), and Information Services (Explore Nearby, Live Data, Integrated Data Sources, and Search Other Locations). The platform is available across iOS, Android, HarmonyOS, and Google Play. Underpinning the consumer platform is AutoNavi's B2B HD Map business, in which the company leads China's market with 44-52% share, and the AutoSDK, an international version of which covers 170+ countries and 19 languages, enabling Chinese carmakers to embed AutoNavi's navigation in their in-car systems. The product portfolio also extends to robotaxi enablement via the Xpeng partnership running on Amap, and competes directly with Google Maps for global navigation share.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Amap Navigation
- Amap Car-hailing
- Amap Ride Sharing
- Amap Transportation Services
- Amap Information Services
- AutoNavi AutoSDK (International Version)
- AutoNavi HD Maps
Quantifiable outcome
- 51.1% share of China's HD map market in 2025 (full-year)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use AutoNavi
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
AutoNavi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability9 records
Feature8 records
AutoNavi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Xpeng MotorsflagshipAmap is partnering with Xpeng Motors to deploy Level 4 robotaxi services on China's largest ride-hailing platform, with plans to expand internationally. The collaboration aims to advance artificial general intelligence in autonomous driving and globalize China's robotaxi technology.
- XpengflagshipXpeng's robotaxi service (powered by Xpeng's proprietary Turing AI chips and safety redundancies) will operate on Alibaba's Amap platform, with a planned 2026 launch of robotaxi, humanoid robot, and flying car products.
- Chinese automotive OEMs (exporting automakers)coreAutoNavi distributes its international AutoSDK to Chinese carmakers expanding abroad to support in-car navigation systems for foreign markets, covering 170+ countries and 19 languages, positioning AutoNavi as a Google Maps alternative amid increasing Chinese vehicle exports.
- Chinese automotive OEMs (ADAS customers)coreAutoNavi supplies HD map data to multiple Chinese automotive OEMs for ADAS-equipped and intelligent vehicles, holding 51.1% of the China HD map market in 2025 and leading the segment.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AutoNavi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- HERE Technologies: HERE is a global incumbent in HD maps and location platform services for automotive OEMs. It competes with AutoNavi's AutoSDK for OEM navigation contracts in international markets where Chinese automakers are exporting vehicles.
- TomTom: TomTom supplies maps, navigation software and traffic services to global OEMs. Like HERE, it competes with AutoNavi's AutoSDK for in-car navigation stack design wins on vehicles sold outside China.
- Google Maps: Google Maps is the dominant global consumer navigation app and the incumbent AutoNavi is positioning its AutoSDK against for OEM in-car navigation. It sets the global benchmark for navigation data quality and developer ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Mapbox: Mapbox provides a developer-centric mapping and navigation platform used in consumer apps and embedded automotive experiences. It competes with AutoNavi for OEM infotainment and app-builder customers globally.
- Baidu Apollo Go: Baidu's Apollo Go is a leading robotaxi service in China. It competes with AutoNavi's Xpeng-powered robotaxi initiative for robotaxi market share and municipal operating permits.
Direct peers
- DiDi Chuxing: DiDi is China's largest ride-hailing platform by historical market share and directly competes with Amap's ride-hailing aggregation business. Both also have ambitions in autonomous mobility via affiliated AV programs.
- NavInfo: NavInfo is a leading Chinese HD map and dynamic map provider that competes with AutoNavi for ADAS and autonomous-driving map design wins at Chinese OEMs, and is the most cited alternative supplier in China.
- Huawei (Petal Maps): Huawei's Petal Maps is a direct competitor in both consumer navigation and embedded in-car navigation, and is one of the credible challengers cited in the declining-trend context for AutoNavi's HD map share in China.
- Tencent Maps: Tencent's mapping and location services compete directly with Amap in Chinese consumer navigation and local services, leveraging WeChat distribution. Both vie for the same Chinese consumer and OEM mindshare.
- Baidu Maps: Baidu's mapping and navigation app is the most direct competitor to Amap inside China. Both offer consumer navigation, ride-hailing aggregation, and HD maps for ADAS, and compete head-to-head for Chinese OEM HD map design wins.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AutoNavi social profiles
Digital presenceAutoNavi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AutoNavi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
AutoNavi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AutoNavi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AutoNavi
What does AutoNavi do?
AutoNavi (branded Amap) builds and operates a multi-modal geospatial platform combining HD maps for autonomous driving, real-time traffic intelligence, consumer navigation, and ride-hailing aggregation. It sells an international AutoSDK to automotive OEMs for in-car navigation, and licenses HD map data to Chinese automakers for ADAS-equipped vehicles. Its consumer Amap app provides navigation, ride-hailing, public transit, bike routing, and local information services.
Is AutoNavi a public or private company?
AutoNavi is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AutoNavi founded?
AutoNavi was founded in 2001. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is AutoNavi based?
AutoNavi is headquartered in Haidian, China, in the Asia region.
How does AutoNavi make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Advertising (in-app, local services) is the primary driver. The others are ride-hailing and ride-sharing platform commissions, transaction / booking fees on mobility services, HD map licensing to automotive OEMs and autoSDK and in-car navigation licensing (international).
Who are AutoNavi's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are HERE Technologies, TomTom and Google Maps. Emerging players are Mapbox and Baidu Apollo Go. Direct peers are DiDi Chuxing, NavInfo, Huawei (Petal Maps), Tencent Maps and Baidu Maps.
Does AutoNavi have an API?
Yes. AutoNavi offers AutoSDK, an SDK that supports Chinese carmakers in developing in-car navigation systems. The international version of the AutoSDK covers over 170 countries and supports 19 languages, enabling car OEMs to embed AutoNavi's navigation capabilities into in-vehicle infotainment systems for foreign markets.
What industry is AutoNavi in?
AutoNavi's product category is Digital Maps and Navigation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAL, HD Maps & Localization for Autonomous/ADAS, with a secondary code of HDAAAEAI, Autonomous Driving & ADAS Perception.