Volvo Cars has announced that it plans to use near-zero emission aluminum and steel as it aims to reduce CO2 emissions per car by 75% by 2030, compared with a 2018 baseline, it said in a press release on Nov. 30. The automaker also set a target to become climate neutral by 2040 and reduce CO2 emissions per car by 40% between 2018 and 2025. It is is doubling down on its existing ambition to only sell fully electric cars by 2030, eliminating tailpipe emissions from its model line-up. Volvo Cars...

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely), China’s leading privately owned automotive technology group and Nio Holding (Nio) have signed a strategic partnership agreement on battery swapping in Hangzhou, China, Geely announced Nov. 29. Under the new strategic agreement, both the companies plan to carry out comprehensive cooperation on battery standards, battery-swapping technology, battery-swapping network expansion and operation, swappable-model development and battery-asset mana...

Audi has updated its flagship Q855 TFSI and SQ8 models with improved lighting technology and a revised exterior design, according to a press release dated October 25. The model year 2024 Audi Q8 comes equipped with standard Matrix-design LED headlights, while the digital organic LED rear lights are available exclusively on the SQ8. The new design elements include a new roofline, exhaust outlets and a new badging strategy with the model, derivative and technology-identifier laser in the B-pillar....

Volvo’s in-vehicle speed limit-announcing safety feature in collaboration with Google has received the European General Safety Regulation (GSR) certification, The Verge reported October 16. The technology, known as Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA), uses Google Maps data to accurately display the current posted speed limit on the instrument display at all times and warns drivers when they are exceeding the speed limit. “You need to know things about the road network that you cannot see to kn...

Kinaxis has announced a partnership with Volvo Cars, according to a company press release dated October 5. Kinaxis will bring its patented methodology for concurrent supply chain techniques to streamline the Swedish automaker’s supply chain operations. “We are proud to work with industry leaders like Volvo Cars and play an important role in their commitment to creating safe and innovative vehicles designed to do better for the planet. We look forward to working together to help them conti...

Geely’s premium electric car unit Zeekr has signed partnerships with four local companies to expand its retail presence in the Middle East region in addition to Israel, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on September 29. Zeekr has entered into partnerships with AW Rostamani Holdings in the United Arab Emirates, Wallan Trading Co. in Saudi Arabia, Blue Lake Motors in Qatar and Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons from Bahrain to sell its electric cars, the report mentioned, citing a ...

StoreDot has signed a multiyear agreement with Volvo Cars to develop an optimized battery for next-generation vehicles, it said in a press release on September 28. The companies are looking to jointly develop extreme fast charging (XFC) cells for Volvo's future electric vehicle architectures. It is expected that the first samples will be delivered for testing in 2024. “This is a highly significant agreement for both StoreDot and Volvo Cars. Our teams are now working together at pa...

Tianqi Lithium has invested $150 million in the Smart joint venture, Yicai Global reported September 14. Smart is a JV between Mercedes-Benz and Geely Holding Group to develop electric vehicles. Tianqi Lithium also signed strategic deals with Mercedes-Benz and Geely. The company will cooperate with Geely on resources, core materials, lithium-battery technology research, lightweight materials for new-energy vehicles and software development. Significance: The investment in Smart repres...

SiriusXM, with its advanced audio-entertainment experience 360L, will make its Volvo debut in the all-new and fully electric 2024 Volvo EX30 and EX90 sport utility vehicles (SUVs). It combines satellite and streaming content delivery into a single, cohesive in-vehicle entertainment experience, which provides drivers and their passengers with more choice, better discovery and a more personalized listening experience, a company press release said July 26. This advanced entertainment system in V...

After the November 2022 framework agreement, Geely Holding Group, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. (collectively referred to as Geely) and Renault Group signed a binding 50/50 joint venture agreement on July 11 to launch a new powertrain technology company with a goal to emerge as the global leader in developing, manufacturing and supplying best-in-class hybrid powertrains and highly efficient internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrains. Another partner, Aramco, which signed a l...

Chinese vehicle manufacturer Geely’s premium EV arm Zeekr plans to debut in Europe with its electric sedan 001 and electric compact SUV Zeekr X, the company announced on June 28. Zeekr has opened the preorders in Sweden and the Netherlands for the 001 Shooting Brake and Zeekr X models, with first deliveries expected to commence in autumn, the company said without specifying a date. Zeekr plans to follow a direct-to-customer business model in Europe and aims to open flagship stores in Stockh...

Volvo Cars announced signing an agreement with electric-vehicle maker Tesla to access the Supercharger network across the US, Canada and Mexico — the first European original equipment manufacturer to do so. Under the agreement, future Volvo cars starting from 2025 will be equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port in North America.  The collaboration offers fully electric Volvo drivers access to 12,000 new fast-charge points, a...

Polestar Automotive Holding UK is entering into a joint venture with Xingji Meizu Group, it said in a press release June 19. The companies will develop Xingji Meizu’s Flyme Auto platform into an operating system (OS) for Polestar cars sold in China, including in-car apps, streaming services and intelligent-vehicle software. Polestar will own 49% of the JV company, with Xingji Meizu owning the remaining 51%. Xingji Meizu will be in charge of arranging the company’s future financi...

Volvo announced that its latest over-the-air (OTA) update has enhanced the experience of using Apple CarPlay, according to a June 1 press release. A key enhancement following the update is that Apple Maps and other supported navigation apps would become available in the driver display, just behind the steering wheel. The driver display will now present call information, which allows drivers and passengers to answer, reject and end calls using the buttons on the steering wheel. ...

In a press release dated May 31, Volvo has disclosed the details of the interiors of its EX30 model. The car will be launched June 7. Volvo has used sustainable materials such as waste product from the denim recycling process. Other materials on offer include a recycled plastic made from waste items such as old window frames and roller shutters; flax, a renewable fiber derived from linseed plants; a wool blend including 70% recycled polyester; and a structured knit-seat ...

Geely Holding’s premium electric vehicle (EV) arm Zeekr has commenced the deliveries of the Zeekr 001 model with CATL’s long-range Qilin battery as an option, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on May 16. Zeekr 001’s Qilin battery-equipped variant goes on sale soon after the premium brand started delivering the Zeekr 009 multipurpose vehicle (MPV) with the CATL battery pack a month ago. The report said that Zeekr 001 WE version has gone on sale with the optional 14...

Volvo Car Corp. (Volvo) has announced that its EX90 all-electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) will come equipped with Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity sound system, a company press release dated May 10 read. Occupants of the seven seater will be able to enjoy 3D surround sound from the 25 speakers throughout the cabin. “For the new Volvo EX90, Bowers & Wilkins was a natural and obvious choice as the partner for our premium audio system. Its highly acclaimed approach to sound exude...

In a major strategic announcement, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding Group) and Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd. (Changan Automobile) signed a cooperation framework agreement, according to a press release May 10. The partnership aims to explore opportunities in new-energy technologies, vehicle intelligence, new-energy powertrains, overseas development, mobility and industrial ecology.  This collaboration agreement aims to jointly promote the development of C...

Expanding its global design footprint, Volvo Car Group (Volvo Cars) on May 10 announced the opening of its first Asia design studio in Shanghai. The company said the Shanghai studio aims to be one of the most comprehensive design studios of global car brands in Asia. Mirroring its design headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, the Shanghai studio has all the functions needed to facilitate the whole design process — from concept to production. The new design capabilities will allow the...

Volvo Cars Group (Volvo Cars) has collaborated with Plug and Play Tech Center (Plug and Play) for development of mobility in the Scandinavian region, according to a company press release dated May 3. Plug and Play has opened a new innovation platform in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars is a founding partner of the new platform, which is expected to engage more than 500 mobility startups every year. “We’re very pleased to team up with Volvo Cars and open the doors to this new innovation...

London Electric Vehicle Co. (LEVC) has unveiled a state-of-the-art new electric vehicle (EV) platform called Space Oriented Architecture (SOA), which is expected to spawn off a range of next-generation EVs, the company announced on May 5. The EV platform has been codeveloped with Geely Holding Group, it said, adding that the SOA is modular and scalable. LEVC said that its newly developed SOA is the world’s first EV platform focused on setting new standards for onboard space, bringing i...

Geely-backed premium electric car manufacturer Polestar plans to set up a development center in the former Saab plant in Trollhättan, Sweden, according to a news report published by Automobilwoche on April 21. The report cited a company official, who confirmed the development to the news publication. It said Polestar would rent a part of the former Saab facility as part of its larger plan of expanding its vehicle development capacity in Europe. The report pointed out that the previous o...

Volvo announced that it has begun offering Waze app in vehicles with Google built-in, according to a company press release on April 19. This will mark the first time that in-car Waze app will be available to drivers in the US and Asia-Pacific. “We’re continuing to expand our in-car app offer to bring more options and benefits to our customers, allowing them to personalise their car. We’re committed to continuously improving the experience in Volvo cars through our in-house software...

Disclosing its ambitious global growth plan, Geely Holding Group’s premium electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr has unveiled its strategy for the European market, according to a news report published by CNEVPOST on April 18. The announcement was made by Zeekr on the sidelines of the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2023. The premium EV-maker plans to offer its customers in Europe a direct-to-customer business model, the report said, adding that the company plans to launch its flagship Zeekr 001 and ...

Geely Holding’s premium electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr has officially launched its third electric car — the Zeekr X — at an event in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu, China, according to a news report published by CNEVPOST on April 13. Based on Geely’s Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA), the Zeekr X is positioned as an electric urban sport utility vehicle (SUV). The Zeekr X will be offered in a single-motor as well as dual-motor version, the report said, adding that ...

Volvo has announced that its new EX90 vehicle will feature a suite of 72 SunLike LEDs in the interior, according to a company press release dated April 13. The SunLike LEDs are supplied by Seoul Semiconductor. The new, nonflickering lighting addition delivers low-light reflection and a high color index. “By utilising the spectrum of light emitted from the SunLike LEDs, the progressive materials and interior design of the Volvo EX90 stand out more clearly and without colour distortion. Compl...

Geely-owned Meizu unveiled its brand new Flyme Auto software for vehicles. The onboard interface is designed to deliver a seamless native experience and deep integration with the car owner's Meizu phone. The new software enables automated and simpler syncing, and allows continued access of the phone. As soon as the owner gets inside the car, the system will sync all opened apps in the background as well as those running in the foreground, so that they can pick up where they left off using the...

Geely Holding Group and DRB-HICOM Berhad have signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) to reinforce the next phase of collaboration between the two companies. The partnership aims to accelerate the development of the Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV) as Malaysia’s next-generation vehicle hub in Tanjong Malim covering the extensive automotive and mobility solutions value chain. The focus of the HOA is the development of an integrated automotive city that will emerge as a hub for a new energy vehic...

Robo-taxi developer Waymo is planning to operate an all-electric fleet of fifth-generation Waymo Driver as it retires its fourth-generation tech utilized on Chrysler Pacifica hybrids. Going ahead, Waymo will deploy the Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles (EVs) as it continues to develop future autonomous vehicles with Geely and its all-electric ZEEKR brand. According to news shared on Waymo’s blog on March 31, the robo-taxi service is in the process of retiring its fourth-generation vehicles, w...

Geely will include eight powertrain plants in China and one in Sweden in its future combustion engine joint venture with Renault and Saudi Aramco, said Reuters in a report dated March 29, quoting two sources close to the matter. Two people told Reuters on March 29 that eight of the nine plants coming from Geely and Aurobay are based in China, and one is in Skovde, Sweden. Aurobay is a combustion engine unit created by Volvo Cars and Geely in 2021 that is now fully owned by Geely. Code...

Lynk & Co will be the first subbrand from Geely to incorporate an in-car operating system called Flyme Auto in its upcoming sports utility vehicle (SUV) called the 08. The use of Meizu operating systems underlines the company’s goal of developing car technology in-house. The collaboration will be a test for both brands — Geely and Meizu — with the former focusing on building its software self-sufficiency and the latter looking to revive its diminishing smartphone business by testing...

Polestar 3 will feature three alternatives in upholstery including Nappa leather, bio-attributed MicroTech vinyl, and animal welfare certified wool, it said in a press release dated 9 February. MicroTech is made from renewable vinyl and recycled polyester textile and is a vegan alternative to leather and comes standard. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a multipurpose plastic made from fossil resources and used for synthetic vinyl materials while MicroTech upholstery is made with 100% fossil-fr...

Chinese automaker Geely has launched a new sub-brand ‘Galaxy’ for premium electrified vehicles, the company announced in a press release on 23 February. At the launch of the Geely Galaxy brand, the company also unveiled the first car from the Geely Galaxy range, the Galaxy L7 long-range plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle (SUV), along with a fully electric concept model, the “Galaxy Light.” At the ceremony, Geely Auto also unveiled a multitude of new advanced electrified technologies...

Volvo has issued a recall of 106,900 vehicles worldwide over potential issues with automatic safety brakes, according to multiple reports on 25 January. The electronic braking support function is affected when the system takes over in the event of an emergency. It does not impact manual braking using brake pedals. Vehicles being recalled are model year (MY) 2023 C40, XC40, S60, V60, XC60, V90, and XC90 models. Volvo is set to issue a free software update to fix the issue.

Volvo has announced that it has improved both the range (WLTP) and charging for the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge compared to the previous versions, according to a company press release dated 16 January. The range has been increased by as much as 60 kilometers on some variants. The C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge variants will receive three new powertrains, including include two rear-wheel-drive variants as well as a revised all-wheel-drive performance model. “These updates are another big ...

Geely has partnered with Alibaba for holistic digitization, including in the fields of autonomous driving, intelligent cockpit, industrial internet, mobility services, digital marketing, and sustainable development, Equal Ocean reported on 16 January. Amap, Alibaba’s digital map and navigation service provider, Alibaba Cloud, and vehicle operating system provider Banma Network Technology will provide Geely with smart cockpit, smart mobility, and vehicle ecology services. Significance: Un...

Volvo has announced that its latest over-the-air (OTA) update, with over one million installations, will include the ability to issue voice commands through Google Assistant-enabled devices, according to a press release dated 5 January. This will allow drivers to warm up their car and among other abilities, and a wider introduction of Care Key technology. Volvo also introduced integrated connectivity in Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Iceland. “Thanks to over-the-air updates an...

Smart Eye has announced that it will demonstrate Polestar 3 driver monitoring system (DMS) at CES 2023 in Las Vegas in January 2023, in a press release on 15 December. The driver monitoring technology is included in Polestar 3 as standard. The DMS is part of a system that includes driver alert control, lane keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, and pilot assist, among others. Visitors can see how the cameras in the vehicle track the driver’s head and eye movements and observe how the AI sof...

Bose has announced that it will supply sound system for Volvo Cars, starting with the recently unveiled Volvo EX90, according to a company press release on 20 December. The Bose-equipped vehicle model will be available by early 2024. Bose will supply a 14-speaker sound system to enhance the in-cabin experience. “Teaming up with Volvo Cars is a major milestone for us. We share many common characteristics—from our long-standing commitment to delivering incredible consumer experiences to our...

Modern Tire Dealer reported on 16 November that Pirelli’s P Zero with ELECT technology had been selected by Polestar as OE on the new, limited-edition Polestar 2 BST 270. According to the report, the ultra-high-performance tire will be supplied in size 245/35R21 and will feature a high load index and HL marking on its side.  Significance: The Polestar 2 BST Edition 270 has been developed a more powerful version of the Polestar 2 and will be available primarily in the European and No...

NVIDIA has said that its DRIVE Orin platform is used in Volvo Cars EX90 SUV, in a blog post on 9 November. The vehicle features a new powertrain, branding and software-defined artificial intelligence (AI) compute powered by the centralized NVIDIA DRIVE Orin platform. Volvo Cars’ proprietary software runs on NVIDIA DRIVE Orin to operate most of the core functions inside the car, including safety, infotainment and battery management. The intelligent architecture is designed to deliver a highl...

French carmaker Renault, China’s Geely Holding Group and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd have signed a nonbinding framework agreement to set up a new joint venture company focused on developing, manufacturing and suppling best-in-class hybrid powertrains and highly efficient internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrains, according to a media announcement by Renault on 8 November 2022. “Under the framework agreement, Geely and Renault Group will hold respective 50-50 equity stakes in the new ...

Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars plans to divest its 33% stake in Aurobay to parent company Geely Holding as part of its corporate strategy to develop only electric cars by 2030, the company announced on 8 November 2022. “The divestment is yet another important step in its transformation towards becoming a fully electric car manufacturer,” the company said in its official statement Tuesday. It added that the divestment also makes Volvo Cars the first car manufacturer to fully exit its par...

Huawei Cloud has formed a strategic alliance with Caocao Mobility, AAStocks reported on 4 November. Caocao Mobility is an online ride-hailing platform owned by Geely Holding Group. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will cooperate across multiple areas, including user growth, map and mobility, intelligent vehicle cabin, Internet of Vehicles, and autonomous driving. Significance: The two companies will also explore hardware solutions, new-generation vehicle-to-everything (V2X) sol...

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group's luxury car arm Zeekr plans to sell its first electric vehicles in Europe next year, a Reuters news report published on 2 November 2022 said, citing Zeekr's CEO. According to Reuters, An Conghui, Zeekr CEO and president at Geely was interviewed by the reporters at a roundtable on Tuesday in Wuzhen in Zhejiang province. According to the news report, the carmaker plans to launch its 001 electric crossover in Europe next year. The company, however, has not shared an...

Autoliv China has announced via press release that it entered into a strategic partnership with Geely Auto Group to develop advanced safety technologies for future vehicles, according to a press release published by Autoliv on 24 October. Sng Yih, president, Autoliv China, said, “The new cooperation between Autoliv and Geely shows our common intention to speed up the process of going to market with new safety technology that will save more lives. Geely is a strong player in a very dynamic a...

Volvo Cars, through Volvo Cars Tech Fund, has made a strategic investment in PowerShare (Shanghai Dianxiang Info Tech Company), it said in a press release on 19 October. PowerShare is an AI and cloud-based energy management start-up. “We continue to invest in two of our most important goals: full electrification by 2030 and becoming fully climate-neutral by 2040. Partnering with PowerShare means teaming up to make our vehicles a functional part of the energy ecosystem. Smart power and clean...

Zenseact has announced that it has deployed its software OnePilot, for advanced driver assistance, in the newly launched Polestar 3, in a press release dated 13 October. OnePilot will help reduce traffic accidents and make roads safer. The software uses traffic data from the Polestar vehicles to learn about complex traffic scenarios and develop solutions to help eliminating collisions. “The release of OnePilot is a big step towards making driving safer. We are delighted to make Polestar 3 s...

Geely backed Zeekr electric vehicle (EV) has unveiled interior details of the company’s Zeekr 009 multipurpose vehicle (MPV) based on the sustainable experience architecture (SEA) platform, Pandaily reported on 10 October.   Significance: The interior of the vehicle is sleek and has a pressure-relief cockpit. The second row is equipped with a small, hidden table board and a 15.6” screen that supports electric multiangle adjustment. The 15.6” floating central screen has HDMI an...

Viridi E-mobility Technology Company Ltd (popularly known as VREMT), a subsidiary of Geely Auto, one of the largest vehicle manufacturers in China, has unveiled its all-new 600 kW supercharging technology that is capable of fast charging an electric vehicle (EV) with a driving range of over 300 km with only five minutes of charging, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on 13 September 2022. The news report cited VREMT’s announcement made on 8 September on the company’s We...

Geely-backed online ride-hailing platform, Cao Cao Mobility has started cooperation related to robo-taxis with the Smart Driving Center of the Zhejiang Geely Automobile Research Institute, according to a report published by Pandaily on 5 September 2022. Both intend to develop China's first open commercial smart driving travel platform, including a data services company and robo-taxi operation. Chu Yao, the CEO of Future Travel Group, Cao Cao Mobility, stated that the company intends to open t...

Mainland China’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Ltd (CATL) plans to supply its recently launched, long-range Qilin batteries to Geely’s premium EV arm Zeekr, the company announced on 27 August 2022. With this, Zeekr will become the first major EV brand to be powered by mass produced CATL Qilin batteries, it said, adding that while Zeekr 009 will be the world's first electric car to be powered by the Qilin batteries, the Zeekr 001 will be t...

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd, one of the leading carmakers from China, aims to raise the proportion of electric vehicles (EVs) in its overall vehicle sales to 50% as early as 2023, according to a news report published by Reuters on 18 August 2022. The report stated that the company’s plan is aligned with its larger strategy to accelerate its transition to EVs amid weakening demand for petrol-driven cars. Citing Geely’s chief executive Jerry Gan, the report said that sales of electric and...

China-based premium electric vehicle (EV) maker Zeekr has launched 11-kW smart home charging piles, Pandaily reported on 17 August. According to the report, users who purchased the "ZEEKR 001 YOU" and "ME" versions in the past received free basic installation services and 7-kW home charging piles for distances up to 50 m. Customers can take advantage of Zeekr one-stop installation services, which include basic wiring construction of 30 or 50 m and the construction of auxiliary materials, in a...

Volvo has announced the rollout of software via an over-the-air (OTA) update to all cars with Google built in, according to a company press release on 25 July. One of the new functionalities will include the rollout of Apple CarPlay. Users will be able to connect their iPhone via USB and access apps from their iPhones. “Through over-the-air updates, we can make sure that our customers can enjoy new features quickly and easily. It also means that a new Volvo car is no longer at its finest as...

Geely Group-backed British sports car brand Lotus has rolled out its Eletre electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) from the production line at the company’s new factory in Wuhan, making the luxury model the first Lotus car to be produced in China, a news report published by CarNewsChina said on 18 July 2022. The report further mentioned that the Lotus Eletre has also become one of the fastest made-in-China electric SUVs. The Lotus Eletre SUV was first unveiled on 29 March 2022 and is the firs...

Geely Design Global, the design arm for Geely Auto Group (Geely) has opened a new design center in Gothenburg, Sweden, according to a press release published by the automaker on 13 July. Stefan Sielaff, global design chief, Geely, said, “Since acquiring Volvo Cars in 2010, Gothenburg has benefited greatly with the emergence of new brands and businesses belonging to the Geely family, turning the city itself into an innovation hub. The Geely Design Centre reinforces us further in Northern Eur...

Geely Group, one of the largest vehicle manufacturers in China, has launched its electric lifestyle vehicle brand named Radar Auto alongside the brand’s first electric vehicle (EV), the RD6 pickup truck, the company announced on 12 July 2022. The company said that the Radar brand is launched as an independent brand within the Geely Holding Group, which plans to provide the new EV brand with full vehicle technologies and shared components. The Radar Auto brand will also have its own Research...

Zeekr has unveiled the Qualcomm Intelligent Cockpit 8155 computing platform, Pandaily reported on 12 July. The upgraded product will be provided free of cost to Zeekr 001 owners. The smart platform features a 7nm octa-core process, a 16GB memory bandwidth and supports 128GB storage. The 8155 processor features an additional unique artificial intelligence (AI) computing module and an almost four times more image-processing capabilities. Significance: The Zeekr has a cruising range of 616 ki...

Swiss industrial machinery manufacturing company Bühler announced via a press release on 19 May that Swedish automaker Volvo had purchased two of its Carat 840 high-pressure die-casting (HPDC, or megacasting) cells for its factory in Torslanda, Sweden. The cell solutions being delivered will include the HPDC machines as well as the accessory melting furnace and material handling facilities. According to the press release, the Carat 840 HPDC with locking forces of up to 92,000 kN will...

Geely Holding Group has launched nine satellites into low earth orbit to build a network for enhanced accuracy in navigation for autonomous vehicles, Reuters reported on 2 June. Geely expects to launch another 63 satellites by 2025 and eventually to have a constellation of 240 satellites. Significance: Geely had established Geespace, a company responsible for the development, launch, and operation of low-orbit satellites, in 2018. Geespace operates as a subsidiary of Geely Technology Gro...

Volvo Cars has collaborated with Epic Games, though which it will offer photorealistic visualization technology into its next generation of electric vehicles (EVs), it said in a press release on 1 June. The companies will use Epic’s Unreal Engine game engine for high-quality graphics inside the cabin. Using Unreal Engine and the third generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, Volvo will be able to offer enhanced graphics and infotainment system performance for customers. The infotainment syst...

Swedish automaker Volvo Cars announced that it had become the first carmaker to sign up to the SteelZero initiative aimed at increasing demand for carbon neutral steel to decarbonize the global steel industry. As per the company’s participation within the initiative, Volvo will only source 100% net-zero steel from 2050 and will commit to stringent carbon-based steel sourcing requirements by 2030. The company will ensure than 50% of the steel it will procure by 2030 will meet at least one of...

Geely, one of the largest vehicle manufacturers in China, and its battery supplier Farasis Energy have begun constructing their second EV battery plant project, which is located in the Fuling district, Chongqing, southwest China, a report filed by CNEVPOST said on 19 May 2022, citing a company announcement. Notably, the battery plant is the second manufacturing unit that is being built jointly by the two companies. The planned battery factory is slated to have a production capacity of 12 GWh,...

Volvo Cars has announced it would be offering cutting-edge air purification in its latest cars, according to a press filing on 18 May. The Advanced Air Cleaner is part of the air purification technology available on new 90 and 60 series models. CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly by Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), it removes most grass, tree and weed pollen allergens. “By helping our customers improve the air quality inside their Volvo car, we will help reduce the adverse health effect...

Volvo has announced that its entire 2023 lineup cars in the US will be equipped with Google built-in, according to a company press release on 3 May. While Google built-in is already available in C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge, the XC60, S90, and V90 Cross Country, it will roll out to the entire Volvo Cars range for model year 2023. All 2023 Volvo cars will be able to receive and install software upgrades remotely. Significance: Over-the-air (OTA) updates are essential to ensure that the ...

Polestar 2 will be updated with sustainable solutions related to climate impact, design, and specifications for new visual expressions and improved efficiency, it said in a press release on 27 April. The car brand also spoke about blockchain traceability of mica following its partnership with Circulor. The blockchain technology allows Polestar to trace risk minerals from material source to finished product. “In our programme updates we want to take action on improvements that can make a pos...

Volvo has announced that all its new car models will be available with over-the-air (OTA) software update capability, a company press release on 7 April read. The OTA capability is available in the latest XC90, S60, and V60 models, with the company’s entire lineup able receive an update of the operating system over the air. The infotainment system will be upgraded Android 11 with the OTA update this week with access to new app categories on Google Play, including navigation, charging and pa...

Polestar has announced that Polestar 2 will be upgraded with Android R for the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, in an official press release on 7 April. The latest software update will be rolled out from early April in 2022. The latest update is known as the P2.0 software update. Since the use of over-the-air (OTA) updates for the Polestar 2, 10 major OTA releases enabling around a hundred improvements have been issued representing an average of one major OTA release every...

Fribourg-based natural fiber composites startup Bcomp announced via press release on 5 April that it had closed its oversubscribed Series B financing round of USD35 million with investments from a range of mobility investment companies. According to the press release, the company’s investors include automotive venture capital arms BMW i Ventures, Volvo Cars Tech Fund and Porsche Ventures. The company said that the new funding will help scale the global commercial and production footprint of...

Polestar 2 is rolling out its Android 11 update, 9to5 Google reported on 29 March. The software version P2.0 is available for model year (MY) 2021 and MY 2022 Polestar 2, which delivers Android Automotive 11 for the Polestar 2. MY 2021 was launched with Android 9 and was later updated to Android 10. The update features new app categories, improvements in in-vehicle functionalities, improvements in stability of connectivity, improved radio reception, navigation stability for GPS location. The ...

Chinese automaker Geely has suspended production at its Belarusian plant and is aiming to resume operations on 1 April due to a shortage in parts supply that are affected by the ongoing regional emergency, according to RusAutoNews on 16 March. The automaker’s decision aligns with potential risks associated with trade relations and ongoing Ukraine and Russia crisis, the statement added.   Significance: Several OEMs have halted shipments as geopolitical tensions rise and disrup...

Polestar has partnered with Swedish innovation hub MobilityXlab for mobility and connectivity technologies in the automotive segment, a company press release on 7 March read. The partnership is basically Polestar’s way into the global start-up community with the aim to develop connected solutions. Significance: In October 2017, Autoliv partnered with Ericsson, Volvo Cars, Volvo Group and Zenuity to establish MobilityXlab in Gothenburg, Sweden. Since then, partners also include CEVT, Veoneer...

Chinese technology company Baidu and leading carmaker Geely have announced that the two companies are jointly investing nearly USD400 million in their electric car venture Jidu’s series A funding round, according to a report filed by CNBC on 26 January 2022. The two companies had partnered to establish Jidu just about a year ago. The said capital injection comes less than a year after Jidu was launched in March 2021 with USD300 million in initial capital from undisclosed investors, the repo...

Renault Group and Geely Holding Group have signed an agreement to launch a new collaboration dedicated to bringing fuel-efficient hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) models to the South Korean market as well as for export sales, the two companies said in a strategic announcement on 21 January 2022. The two carmakers have planned that new vehicles will be produced at the Renault-Samsung facility in Busan, South Korea. Production of the new jointly developed veh...

In the early 2010s, with the launch of the very first “driving assistance” systems, automakers began to rely on the braking system’s electronic stability control (ESC) unit, originally designed to improve driving stability, to decelerate the vehicle without driver input, in emergencies. Since then, system requirements have continuously expanded to accommodate growing demands for more powerful, sustained, and responsive autonomous braking capabilities needed for semi-automated and automated...

Volvo has announced that its cars will feature YouTube video playback with Google built-in, according to a press release by the automaker on 5 January. This is a part of Volvo’s partnership with Google. YouTube will be the first video platform to be featured and available for download in Volvo cars on Google Play. “Allowing our customers to watch videos while charging or when waiting to pick up their children from school is part of our promise to make their lives better and more enjo...

Qualcomm Technologies and Volvo have announced plans to integrate 3rd Generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms into infotainment systems of the upcoming electric vehicles (EVs) under the Volvo and Polestar brands, a company press release on 4 January read. “Our technology development with Volvo Cars spotlights the transformative potential of our Snapdragon automotive solutions featured in the Snapdragon Digital Chassis. Utilizing our latest hardware and software innovations to multiply the s...

German tire manufacturer Continental announced via press release on 20 December 2021 that its PremiumContact 6 and SportContact 6 had been approved as OE by Volvo for the new Polestar 2. According to the press release, the tires will be supplied in size 245/40 R20, be approved for speeds of up to 240 kmph and will have an XL mark for maximum load capacity. According to Continental, the PremiumContact 6’s new rubber compound provides a low rolling resistance, increasing the range of ...

Waymo unveils a design concept for self-driving robotaxi that operates without steering wheel and pedals, Digital Trends said in a statement on 28 December. The project is in collaboration with Chinese automaker Geely. Significance: The autonomous Zeekr minivan will be entirely filled with passenger seats to be used as a robotaxi. The all-electric autonomous Zeekr minivan is said to be designed and developed in Gothenburg, Sweden, before being added to Waymo’ fleet “in the years to come,�...

Zeekr, Geely’s electric brand, will collaborate with Waymo to develop a new electric vehicle (EV), which will be deployed in the Waymo One autonomous ride-hailing fleet in the United States, the company said in a press release on 28 December. The new vehicle is being designed and developed at Zeekr's R&D facility, CEVT (China Europe Vehicle Technology Centre) in Gothenburg, Sweden. “Zeekr was born on the ideals of equality, diversity, and sustainability. By becoming a strategic partne...

According to an official press release dated 17 December, Hitachi Astemo announced that Geely Automobile Holdings Limited has chosen the company's inverter for the hybrid powertrain platform Leishen Hi-X. In the Leishen Hi-X, Hitachi Astemo's inverter is equipped with Hitachi's unique, direct water-cooled, double-sided cooling power module, which achieves a compact size and high output. Over the next three years, twenty Leishen Hi-X models are planned. Geely highly regarded Hitachi ...

Volvo Cars announced that one of its file repositories was illegally accessed by a third party, according to a company press release on 10 December. The automaker conducted investigations, which led to the confirmation that ‘a limited amount’ of its research and development (R&D) property was stolen’ during the intrusion. Volvo said there may be an impact on its operation. After detecting the unauthorized access, Volvo immediately applied countermeasures to prevent further access to it...

Volvo Car will be offering the new Vodafone Automotive VTS S5 tracking device for all models in the UK, it said in a press release dated 9 December. It provides vehicle tracking and recovery via Vodafone operating centers in partnership with local police nationwide and across 44 other European countries. “At Volvo, we have always put the safety of our customers first, and as we move into an increasingly digital world, we know how important the role of technology is in achieving this. Vodafo...

Polestar has launched performance-oriented software upgrade for the Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor in certain European markets, it said in a press release on 7 December. Over 400 upgrades have been downloaded in its first weeks of availability since late November. “The upgrade highlights how connected technologies can transform the relationship a car company has with its customers. The driving experience in Polestar 2 is something we are really proud of. It is such a fun car to drive alre...

According to a press release dated 2 December, ZEEKR, Geely's young high-end electric vehicle (EV) brand, has collaborated with lidar supplier, RoboSense, to investigate the intelligent lidar system on vehicles. Using RoboSense's intelligent lidar system as a foundation, the two companies hope to explore the possibilities of ZEEKR's intelligent ADAS technologies and application scenarios. RoboSense's lidars are likely to be mounted on future ZEEKR models. Significance: Since its inception,...

US automotive parts manufacturer Tenneco announced via press release on 18 November that its CVSAe electronically controlled damping system had been selected for OE fitment on Geely’s new Lynk & Co 09 flagship sport utility vehicle (SUV). According to the press release, the 09 SUV will be the first Lynk & Co model for the Chinese market and the second by a Geely brand to feature CVSAe technology. Tenneco DriV stated that owners of the new SUV will experience premium-level ri...

US automotive parts manufacturer Tenneco announced via press release on 2 November that its semi-active suspension technology CVSAe will debut in China on Chinese automaker Geely’s new premium electric shooting brake ZEEKR 001. According to the press release, the CVSAe, one of the several electronic suspension products available in Tenneco’s Monroe Intelligent Suspension portfolio, will provide the 001 increased ride comfort and more dynamic vehicle handling compared to conventional ...

Volvo has invested in optical and imaging technology start-up Spectralics, it said in a press release on 23 November. Volvo made the investment through its venture capital investment arm, Volvo Cars Tech Fund. The startup focuses on next generation in-vehicle user experience. “Spectralics is an exciting company with technology that holds truly great promise. By supporting their development, we can bring forward the potential their products could have in future Volvo cars,” said Henrik Gre...

Israel-based startup Upstream Security has partnered with Volvo for the security of software-defined cars, the company said in a press release on 11 November. The collaboration is a direct result of Volvo’s partnership with an innovation hub that focuses on mobility startups in Israel called DRIVE. “Our mission is to protect every connected vehicle and smart mobility service on the planet. The collaboration with Volvo will take us even further toward our mission. With our d...

Geely Auto Group unveiled its ‘Smart Geely 2025’ strategy in a technology focused event at its Research Institute in Hangzhou Bay, China, on 1 November. The strategy aims to accelerate innovation-led growth for the Chinese automaker, which has ambitions to not only become a leading technology-led global automotive group but also ramp up its overall sales to 3.65 million units per annum from 2025. A central element of ‘Smart Geely 2025’ is the launch of the ‘Leishen Power’ brand, t...

Chinese vehicle manufacturer Geely Auto Group has launched its global powertrain brand named ‘Leishen Power’ and a new modular intelligent hybrid powertrain platform it calls Leishen Hi-X, the company announced on 1 November. Geely said that its new advanced Leishen hybrid platform accommodates innovative technologies, including an ultra-high 43.32% thermal efficiency engine, advanced 3-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), 40% reduced fuel consumption NEDC rating, and full powertrai...

German chemical company Lanxess announced via press release on 29 September that Chinese OEM Geely had selected its specialty chemical Durethan BKV50H2.0 EF for the design of a front-end carrier structural component in an upcoming passenger car model. According to the press release, the concept, a state-of-the-art hybrid design solution, goes beyond the traditional square/rectangular form FE structure and subsequently requires specialty materials. While the FE’s lower cooler mounting i...

Polestar has begun rolling out major updates over-the-air (OTA) incrementally in all markets to improve driving and user experiences in the Polestar 2, it said in a press release on 19 October. The new P1.7 update includes an in-car Range Assistant app that offers information on improving efficiency and range. It also has a new Eco Climate mode that tries efficiency by allowing the driver to reduce demand on the battery from the climate system. “The connected nature of Polestar 2 means we c...

Geely-owned premium electric car brand ZEEKR has commenced the production of its ZEEKR 001 at its Ningbo-based factory in China. “The first production-ready ZEEKR 001 rolled off the production line earlier today at a special ceremony in ZEEKR’s Intelligent Factory in Ningbo, China,” the company said in a press release on 19 October. While the ZEEKR 001 was first unveiled in April 2021 prior to the Shanghai Auto Show, the company had made the model available for its potential custom...

Volvo has unveiled a new Range Assistant app for its XC40 Recharge electric vehicle (EV) customers, the carmaker said in a press release on 19 October. The new Range Assistant in-car app has been released in a beta version as part of the latest over-the-air (OTA) software update for cars with an infotainment system powered by Android Automotive. It comes with increased range sue to improvements in smart battery management, regeneration performance, and smarter timer to pre-condition the batterie...

Japanese brakes manufacturer Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. announced via press release on 18 October that its brake products had been adopted by Chinese-Swedish premium automotive brand Lynk & Co for the new 05+ high-performance SUV. According to the press release, Akebono is supplying 4-pot disc brake calipers and copper-free disc brake pads for the front wheels of the 05+. The opposed piston type brake disc calipers fitted in the 05+, according to Akebono, were designed specific...

BreezoMeter has partnered with Volvo Cars to offer car passengers protection from outdoor pollution through real-time updates about their exposure to hazardous air quality, the startup said in a press release on 7 October. The company delivers micro-local environmental intelligence (within 5 m of the driver) through the vehicle’s human-machine interface (HMI). The messages inform passengers so that they can find alternative routes or open and close windows in a set route. Volvo Cars offers ...

Volvo Cars is recalling 460,769 cars worldwide due to faulty air bags, CNBC reported on 5 October. The issue could prove fatal in the event of a crash. Fragments of the inflator inside the air bag may, in certain cases, project out and or strike the passenger, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. The vehicles impacted include the model year (MY) 2001–06 S80 and MY 2001–09 S60 models, with 259,383 units sold in the US. Volvo said the problem occurs if the air bag inf...

Chinese vehicle manufacturer Geely plans to set up a network of 5,000 battery swapping stations for electric cars in China by 2025, according to a report filed by electrive.com on 27 September. It said that the EV battery swapping service is called as E-Energee, which saw its first battery swapping station set up in September 2020 in Chongqing. In the past year, Geely has expanded its EV battery swap service to 10 provinces in China, the report said, adding that the carmaker’s plan includes...