Nvidia is ramping up its presence in China, adding hundreds of new employees this year to strengthen its research efforts in the autonomous driving sector. The company has hired about 200 people in Beijing, boosting its self-driving research team. This expansion is part of Nvidia’s global growth strategy, which also includes increasing staff in other areas, such as after-sales service and networking software development.
Despite facing US trade restrictions that limit its ability to sell the most advanced semiconductors in China, Nvidia continues to see significant success in the region. In the September quarter, the company generated $5.4 billion in sales from China, making it a crucial market for both sales and research. As part of its AI-driven strategy, Nvidia is tapping into China’s strong position in electric vehicle (EV) innovation, aiming to provide AI-driven technologies to local automakers.
This move coincides with growing tensions between the US and China, including a recent antitrust investigation into Nvidia’s 2020 acquisition of Mellanox. The investigation, initiated by China’s local regulators, could lead to fines or other measures. The probe comes shortly after Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, praised China’s contributions to technology during a recent trip to Hong Kong.
While Nvidia has faced challenges related to the US-China trade dispute, it remains deeply invested in the Chinese market, both as a revenue source and a research hub for its AI and autonomous vehicle technology.
