Chinese car manufacturer Geely is to work with internet company Baidu to develop a range of “intelligent” EVs.
Under the agreement the vehicles will use Geely’s fully electric Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), equipped with Baidu’s driver assistance, infotainment and mapping devices.
Baidu, which is the largest search engine in China, plans to establish a new subsidiary to develop the vehicles, which will be marketed under a new brand.
In 2017 Baidu set up Apollo, its autonomous driving unit, which supplies technology powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to several global and China-based car manufacturers
Geely, which owns Lotus, LEVC, Polestar, Proton and Volvo, and also has a stake in Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler, will also provide Baidu with design and manufacturing expertise.
Robin Li, co-founder and chief executive of Baidu said: “At Baidu, we have long believed in the future of intelligent driving and have over the past decade invested heavily in AI to build a portfolio of world-class self-driving services.
“China has become the world’s largest market for EVs, and we are seeing EV consumers demanding next generation vehicles to be more intelligent.
“As a top Chinese automaker with global reach, Geely has the unique experience and resources to design, produce and market energy-efficient, reliable and safe automobiles in large scale.
“We believe that by combining Baidu’s expertise in smart transportation, connected vehicles and autonomous driving with Geely’s expertise as a leading automobile and EV manufacturer, the new partnership will pave the way for future passenger vehicles.”
