As the automated vehicle industry enters into fierce global competition, the United States and China have surged ahead of other countries in sales, according to a report.

The quarterly report, issued by international business consultancy Roland Berger and German automotive research institution fka, compared the state of industry development between Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the US, Japan, China and South Korea.

According to the report, the US and Chinese markets have posted the highest sales figures of vehicles with automated functions, while Sweden and Germany own the biggest market shares. In addition, France, Italy, Japan and South Korea rank the lowest in automated vehicle sales.

"China's share of automated-vehicle market is in need of expansion. It is also important that this growth be driven by Chinese OEMs in coordination with a whole system that includes automotive suppliers," said Ron Zheng, a principal at Roland Berger Greater China.

"The government should take on a supportive role in guiding the industry's development. Once established, a sound legal framework and greater acceptance of the technology by consumers will rapidly accelerate the growth of China's automated-vehicle industry."

The report also shows that while every country has different priorities, communication technology supporting vehicle connectivity will become a new focus in the industry.

Meanwhile, statistics from Beijing-based internet consultancy Analysys have shown that China's intelligent driving industry market is expected to be valued at 121.4 billion yuan ($17.9 billion) by 2020.

Analysys said policies related to intelligent driving in China would help Chinese intelligent driving products achieve commercial operations as soon as possible. It also predicted that low-end intelligent driving firms would see a new round of market reshuffle.