AutoNavi

AutoNavi is a Chinese digital mapping and navigation business best known to consumers through Amap, also called Gaode in Chinese. The company develops and operates online maps, turn-by-turn navigation, location-based services, and geographic data products for consumers, businesses, automobile manufacturers, and technology platforms. Its core market is China, where it provides map content, routing, traffic information, points of interest, and location functions through the Amap website and mobile application. The business was established in the early 2000s by Jun Hou, Congwu Cheng, and Jun Xiao to develop digital map data for in-dash automobile navigation systems. This initial automotive orientation shaped AutoNavi's later activities in digital cartography, navigation software, and location services. In 2007, Amap introduced its first internally developed car-navigation system, marking a transition from map-data development toward integrated navigation products. AutoNavi also developed an enterprise and platform role. Its mapping data has been used by other technology companies and digital platforms, including Apple Maps for China and Taiwan. The company supplied mapping information to Google beginning in 2006, although that relationship was not maintained with regular updates indefinitely. Through subsidiary Beijing Mapabc Co., Ltd., AutoNavi also operated or supported a Chinese map website and related mapping services. Alibaba Group acquired AutoNavi in 2014. After the acquisition, AutoNavi became part of Alibaba's broader digital ecosystem while retaining the Amap consumer identity. Its location data and routing capabilities support use cases extending beyond standalone maps, including mobility, travel, local services, logistics, and other location-aware applications. In 2021, Amap was integrated into Alibaba's Lifestyle Services division, alongside businesses such as Ele.me. Amap reported average daily active users of 150 million in March 2023, illustrating the scale of its consumer platform in China. The service has historically offered Chinese-language interfaces and has also supported English and both traditional and simplified Chinese in relevant contexts. On 21 January 2025, Amap launched an English-language version of its application for Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS, presenting the product as an effort to serve overseas users. AutoNavi's present identity is therefore both a mapping technology provider and a large consumer navigation platform within Alibaba's ecosystem.

AutoNavi emerged in China during the early development of digital mapping and in-car navigation. Jun Hou, Congwu Cheng, and Jun Xiao founded the company around 2001–2002 with the objective of producing digital map data for automobile navigation systems. The business initially focused on the data and software infrastructure required by in-dash navigation rather than on a mass-market smartphone application. The company broadened its capabilities during the following decade. In 2007, Amap introduced its first internally developed car-navigation system. This development established a foundation for combining geographic data, routing logic, and navigation interfaces in a single product. AutoNavi also expanded its web mapping and location-service activities, including services associated with Beijing Mapabc Co., Ltd., a subsidiary connected with Chinese online mapping. AutoNavi's data became relevant to international technology platforms operating in China. It provided mapping information for Apple Maps in China and Taiwan after Apple introduced the service with iOS 6. It also supplied mapping data to Google beginning in 2006, although the Google data relationship was not updated indefinitely. For users seeking an English-language way to view relevant Chinese maps, the Apple Maps integration was historically an important channel, subject to device-location and platform limitations. The decisive corporate turning point came in 2014, when Alibaba Group acquired AutoNavi. The transaction brought AutoNavi's mapping assets, navigation technology, and location data into one of China's largest internet ecosystems. Amap continued as the principal consumer-facing identity, while the underlying technology could support a broader set of Alibaba and third-party services. Its potential applications included mobility, local discovery, logistics, commerce, travel, and other activities requiring geographic search or routing. In 2021, Amap was integrated into Alibaba's Lifestyle Services division, the organizational area that also includes Ele.me. This placed mapping and navigation closer to Alibaba's local-services and daily-use businesses. Amap subsequently continued to operate as a large consumer platform in China. In March 2023, the service said it had 150 million average daily active users. On 21 January 2025, Amap launched an English-language version for Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS. The release represented an expansion beyond its traditional Chinese-language positioning and an attempt to make the service more accessible to overseas users. AutoNavi is therefore best understood today as the corporate and technology lineage behind Amap: a Chinese mapping company whose origins lie in automotive navigation and whose current role spans consumer maps, navigation, geographic data, and Alibaba-connected location services.

1. 2025English-language app launched

   Amap launched an English version of its application for Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS on 21 January.

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2. 2023Amap reports 150 million average daily active users

   Amap reported average daily active users of 150 million in March.

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3. 2021Integrated into Alibaba's Lifestyle Services division

   Amap was integrated into Alibaba's Lifestyle Services division, which also includes Ele.me.

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4. 2014Acquired by Alibaba Group

   Alibaba Group acquired AutoNavi, bringing the mapping and navigation business into its broader digital-services ecosystem.

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5. 2012Mapping data supports Apple Maps in China and Taiwan

   AutoNavi supplied mapping data for Apple Maps in China and Taiwan following the service's introduction with iOS 6.

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6. 2007First internally developed car-navigation system

   Amap launched its first in-house developed car-navigation system.

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7. 2006Mapping data supplied to Google

   AutoNavi began providing mapping data to Google for use in China, although the data was not regularly updated indefinitely.

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8. 2002Early operating period

   The company's stated founding history is also described as beginning in 2002, reflecting differing dates in reference accounts.

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9. 2001AutoNavi is established

   AutoNavi is founded in China by Jun Hou, Congwu Cheng, and Jun Xiao to develop digital map data for in-dash automobile navigation.

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A major Chinese digital mapping, navigation, and location-services platform combining consumer maps with automotive, enterprise, and ecosystem applications.

• AmapConsumer digital mapping and navigation platform

  Amap is AutoNavi's principal consumer mapping brand and is known as Gaode in Chinese. It provides online maps, route planning, turn-by-turn navigation, traffic information, place search, and location-based functions. The service is available through Amap.com and mobile applications and forms the main public-facing expression of AutoNavi's mapping technology.

• Automotive navigation systemsAutomotive navigation2007

  Automotive navigation is the business area from which AutoNavi developed. The company was founded to create digital map data for in-dash systems and Amap introduced an internally developed car-navigation system in 2007. This category includes the map data, routing capabilities, and navigation software used in vehicle-oriented applications.

• Digital map dataGeographic information and mapping data

  AutoNavi produces and supplies digital geographic information covering China and Taiwan. Its map data supports consumer maps, navigation, points-of-interest search, and platform integrations. The company has also supplied mapping information to external technology services, including Apple Maps in China and Taiwan.

• Enterprise and location-based servicesLocation services

  AutoNavi's technology supports location-aware applications beyond standalone map viewing. These capabilities include geographic search, routing, traffic information, and other location functions that can be used by businesses, mobility services, local-services platforms, and technology partners.

• 2025English-language application launchProduct launch

  Amap had historically been primarily associated with Chinese-language mapping and navigation services.

  What changed. Amap launched an English version for Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS on 21 January.

  Aftermath. The launch broadened the service's language offering and signaled an effort to address overseas users.

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• 2021Integration into Alibaba Lifestyle ServicesStrategy

  Alibaba organized a range of daily-use and local-services businesses within its Lifestyle Services division.

  What changed. Amap was integrated into the division, alongside businesses including Ele.me.

  Aftermath. The organizational move linked mapping and navigation more closely with Alibaba's local-services ecosystem.

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• 2014Alibaba Group acquisitionM&A

  AutoNavi had developed mapping, navigation, and location capabilities serving consumers, automotive users, and technology platforms.

  What changed. Alibaba Group acquired AutoNavi and incorporated the business into its wider digital ecosystem.

  Aftermath. Amap remained the consumer-facing mapping identity while the business became connected to Alibaba's broader local-services and platform strategy.

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• 2007Launch of the first in-house car-navigation systemProduct launch

  AutoNavi began as a developer of digital map data for in-dash navigation and sought to extend that capability into integrated navigation products.

  What changed. Amap introduced its first internally developed car-navigation system.

  Aftermath. The launch strengthened AutoNavi's position as a provider of both navigation data and navigation software.

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• 2026Investigation reports transmission of user location data to servers in ChinaControversy

  A 2026 investigation of the application's network traffic reportedly found that Amap regularly transmitted user-location data to servers in China. The supplied reference does not provide further details about the investigation, the legal status of the findings, or the company's response.

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• 2026Reported transmission of user-location data to servers in ChinaControversy

  A referenced 2026 investigation of Amap's network traffic reportedly found regular transmission of user-location data to servers in China. The available material does not provide the methodology, regulatory outcome, or company response.

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• 2025Amap launches an English-language application

  On 21 January 2025, Amap released an English version of its application for Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS, targeting overseas users.

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• 2025Amap advertising reseller partnership expands Hong Kong inventory

  Hotmob announced that it would resell Amap advertising opportunities in Hong Kong, including navigation-end banners, map brand logos, navigation voice advertisements, and mall-directory placements.

  CampaignOther
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• 2023Amap reports 150 million average daily active users

  Amap stated that its average daily active user figure had reached 150 million, highlighting the scale of AutoNavi's consumer mapping and navigation service in China.

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• 2023Amap expands route planning and navigation coverage beyond China

  Amap announced support for route planning and navigation in more than 200 countries and regions, highlighting the use of China’s BeiDou satellite-navigation system and services for Chinese travelers.

  Other
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• 2023Amap reports major daily active-user scale

  Publicly reported company information cited approximately 150 million average daily active users for Amap in March 2023.

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• 2021Amap integrated into Alibaba's Lifestyle Services division

  Amap was integrated into Alibaba's Lifestyle Services division, which also includes Ele.me, connecting mapping more closely with local commerce and daily-use services.

  Other
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• 2014Alibaba completes acquisition of AutoNavi

  Alibaba Group acquired AutoNavi, making the mapping and navigation business part of Alibaba's technology and consumer-services ecosystem.

  M&A
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1. AutoNavi
2. AutoNavi official website
3. Amap advertising reseller partnership expands Hong Kong inventory
4. Amap expands route planning and navigation coverage beyond China