Jidu Technology (Wuhan)

Jidu Technology operates as a strategic joint venture in the intelligent electric vehicle (EV) sector, established in March 2021 through the collaboration of Chinese technology firm Baidu and automotive manufacturer Geely. The company was formed to merge Baidu's proficiency in artificial intelligence and autonomous driving with Geely's established vehicle manufacturing capabilities. The initial shareholding structure was 55% for Baidu and 45% for Geely. Xia Yiping, co-founder of the bike-sharing platform Mobike and a former executive at Fiat Chrysler and Ford, serves as the Chief Executive Officer, bringing extensive experience in mobility solutions and automotive technology.

The company's business revolves around the design, development, and eventual sale of what it terms "robocars"—electric vehicles with a primary focus on advanced autonomous driving and human-machine interaction. To comply with Chinese manufacturing regulations, the operational structure was adjusted in August 2023 with the creation of the Ji Yue brand. This new entity is owned 65% by Geely and 35% by Baidu, positioning it as a subsidiary of Geely and allowing it to secure the necessary production qualifications. Under this arrangement, Jidu functions as a technology solutions provider, handling product design, engineering, and the development of AI driving and user interface technology for all Ji Yue vehicles. The vehicles are built on Geely's open-source Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform.

Jidu's product line, now marketed under the Ji Yue brand, includes the Ji Yue 01, a mid-size SUV, and the Ji Yue 07, a mid-size sedan. A concept sports car, the Robo X, has also been unveiled. A key feature of these vehicles is the integration of Baidu's AI technologies, including its Apollo autonomous driving system and the Ernie Bot large language model, to provide an advanced interactive smart cockpit experience. The company targets the mainstream passenger car market, with initial pricing aimed at around 200,000 RMB. Funding for this ambitious venture includes an initial $300 million at its establishment, followed by a Series A round of nearly $400 million in January 2022, backed by both Baidu and Geely. The business model is direct-to-consumer, bypassing traditional dealerships to manage the customer relationship directly.

Keywords: Jidu Auto, Ji Yue, Baidu, Geely, electric vehicles, autonomous driving, smart EV, robocar, Xia Yiping, automotive technology, AI-powered cars, Sustainable Experience Architecture, SEA platform, Apollo, Ernie Bot, intelligent cockpit, direct-to-consumer automotive, EV joint venture, electric sedan, electric SUV