Baidu CEO says autonomous tech from ‘Robocar’ brand JIDU will be a generation ahead of Tesla

Scooter Doll - Aug. 8th 2022 1:38 pm PT

During its inaugural partner’s conference in Shanghai, autonomous-centric robotic car brand JIDU shared details of its lofty production expansion goals overseas. Furthermore, the CEO of parent company Baidu, said JIDU’s autonomous driving technology will “lead the Tesla generation.”

Geely launches new outdoors lifestyle marque Radar Auto to produce electric pickups, SUVs, and ATVs

Scooter Doll - Jul. 12th 2022 3:03 pm PT

Rivian did it first, Ford did it the biggest, and now China is next. Geely Auto is entering the nascent electric pickup truck segment with an entirely new brand called Radar Auto. The new outdoors-centric marque officially launched today along with images of its flagship EV called the RD6. In addition to electric pickups, Radar […]

JIDU teases production prep for ‘Robocar’ concept ahead of ROBODAY debut in June

Scooter Doll - May. 25th 2022 1:37 pm PT

Just over a year after being founded, intelligent EV startup JIDU is on the cusp of officially unveiling the concept of its first vehicle, referred to as the “Robocar.” Following delays due to COVID-19 restrictions in China, JIDU announced the EV concept will debut at its ROBODAY event in June.

Lotus pulls the sheet off its new 100% electric Eletre hyper-SUV, fka Type 132

Scooter Doll - Mar. 29th 2022 12:00 pm PT

UK-based sports car manufacturer, Lotus Cars, has officially unveiled details of its long-teased “Type 132” electric SUV. Today, the brand announced the EV will be dubbed the Eletre (pronounced “El-etra”) – calling it the “world’s first hyper-SUV.” We now have a slew of new specs and features to ponder.

Geely is rolling out swap stations for heavy duty EVs like cement mixers, housing three-ton battery packs

Scooter Doll - Mar. 15th 2022 9:18 am PT

Chinese multinational automotive company, Geely, has shared a recent update from its Technology Group subsidiary showing battery swap capabilities integrated into what it calls Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The battery swap stations operate under the same concept as passenger EVs, but use a different swap method without having to lift the hefty construction vehicles.

Baidu’s autonomous EV marque JIDU garners $400 million Series A funding round to support ‘Robocar’ launch in 2023

Scooter Doll - Jan. 26th 2022 10:32 am PT

Intelligent EV startup JIDU announced a closed round of Series A funding that raised nearly $400 million dollars. The financing was led by JIDU’s parent company Baidu Group, and its business partner Zhejiang Geely Holding Group – the largest auto manufacturer in China. JIDU plans to use the funds for R&D of its teased “Robocar” […]

Geely and Renault sign agreement to take on S. Korean car market, together

Jo Borrás - Jan. 22nd 2022 1:15 pm PT

Chinese automotive giant and Volvo/Polestar parent company, Geely, has signed an agreement with the French Renault Group to launch a new collaboration intended to bring fuel-efficient hybrid electric cars to South Korea, as well as export sales into other Asian markets.

Geely-backed Maple Leaf 60S leaked ahead of Feb. debut, with 60 sec. battery swap

Jo Borrás - Jan. 22nd 2022 8:15 am PT

The first fruits of a joint venture between Chinese automotive giant Geely and two-wheel experts Lifan have just been leaked ahead of their expected debut – and we can understand why someone just couldn’t wait. “Maple Leaf 60S” says it all!

2021 EV deliveries in China by the numbers: How some of the market’s major players grew

Scooter Doll - Jan. 10th 2022 2:55 pm PT

As we eagerly slam the book shut on 2021 and look toward a promising year of further EV adoption in 2022, it’s important to look back and assess how far the global market has come during this most recent trip around the Sun. From there, we can compare 2021’s numbers to the year prior and […]

Geely and Foxconn establish JV to push back against chip shortage

Jo Borrás - Jan. 7th 2022 2:38 pm PT

Everywhere you look, you can see signs of an automotive market that’s been hit hard by a silicon “chip shortage.” Everywhere that is, except Tesla, where a more flexible, software-focused approach and sturdier grip on its critical parts supplies have allowed the company to nearly double its deliveries from the year before. Over in China, […]

Geely-owned Zeekr brand sets its sights on North America

Jo Borrás - Jan. 3rd 2022 3:36 pm PT

You know Geely as the Chinese money behind Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus – but they’re a lot bigger than that. Geely has its own brand, is backing an electric Smart revival, and recently invested billions in Mercedes’ parent company, Daimler, to become a top shareholder. Geely means business, in other words, and the CEO of […]

Geely looks to emulate Rivian with new premium electric pickup brand

Scooter Doll - Nov. 12th 2021 8:56 am PT

Chinese automotive conglomerate Geely is reportedly spinning off a pickup truck business from its commercial EV division. Geely is working to release an all-electric pickup in the second half of next year that may very well someday compete against nascent US automaker Rivian.

Geely’s Farizon Auto unveils ‘Homtruck’ electric semi for global market in 2024

Scooter Doll - Nov. 9th 2021 2:47 pm PT

Farizon Auto, the commercial vehicle branch of Geely, launched a new electric semi-truck concept called the Homtruck. While the unveiled vehicle remains a concept, Geely has already shared intentions to enter production and begin deliveries in 2024. Furthermore, the Chinese automaker is planning to roll out the Homtruck semi in international markets too, including North […]

ZEEKR’s first 001 EVs roll off assembly line ahead of deliveries this weekend

Scooter Doll - Oct. 19th 2021 1:03 pm PT

Infant luxury EV brand ZEEKR has officially begun rolling the first production models of its flagship 001 sedan off its assembly line in China. The brand exists under the Geely Holding Group umbrella, and will now begin the first deliveries of its first luxury EV to customers in China this weekend.

Volvo-based electric sedan concept unveiled by Geely’s Lynk & Co

Fred Lambert - Apr. 7th 2017 2:14 pm PT

Geely, China’s automotive giant, appears to want to get the most out of its acquisition of Sweden’s Volvo. After using some of the automaker’s engineering and manufacturing talent to set up Chinese operations, the company launc