HK-listed Geely Automobile Holdings Limited called “Geely Auto” or “the Company” for short) announced on Jan. 24 the name of the joint venture it builds with Lifan Technology Co.,Ltd., namely, Chongqing Livan Automotive Technology Company Limited called “Livan Automotive” for short).

Photo credit: MAPLE

According to Geely Auto’s announcement, the joint venture has completed the industrial and commercial registration procedures and obtained the business license issued by the Market Supervision and Administration Bureau of Liangjiang New District, Chongqing.

Livan Automotive will launch a range of powertrain products in the future. To be specific, it will be dedicated to creating an intelligent battery swapping ecosystem and providing the market with competitive battery swapping products and services.

The latest announcement came after Geely Auto and Lifan Technology entered into an investment cooperation agreement in last Dec. to form a 50/50 joint venture, which will engage in the research and development, sales and operations of vehicles including but not limited to battery swappable vehicles).

Under the earlier agreement, the joint venture will also work on exploring such cutting-edge technologies as V2G vehicle-to-grid) and S2G station-to-grid and developing a business model integrating battery supply, energy storage and battery recycling.

The joint venture has yielded its first battery swappable model, the MAPLE 60S. The model still bears the logo of MAPLE, a NEV marque backed by Geely Technology Group. The new model will be mainly deployed for ride-hailing and taxi services.