Zhejiang Geely Holding (ZGH or commonly known as Geely) founder and chairman Eric Li (Li Shufu) has launched a new company that will develop and sell premium smart devices, including smartphones, to global consumers. Yes, the company with several car brands (Proton, Volvo, Lynk & Co, just to name a few) in its portfolio will soon make phones that will go up against those from Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi.
The new company is called Hubei Xingji Shidai Technology and will set up base in Wuhan after Li signed a strategic cooperation with the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone. According to an official release, Xingji Shidai will have full access to “Geely’s extensive experience in design, R&D, high-end smart manufacturing, industrial chain integration, vehicle intelligence, software development and global infrastructure, including its planned low-orbit satellite network.”
No upcoming products were mentioned, but it’s understood that adding smartphones to Geely’s product portfolio will help in the creation of a seamlessly connected ecosystem. “Mobile phones and devices have quickly evolved into mobile terminals and application platforms which not only allow users to enjoy the fruits of innovation in the quickest manner possible, they also act as a pathway to greater automotive applications,” explained Li, who owns 55% of the new company, Reuters reports.
“There is a close connection in technologies within intelligent vehicle cockpits and smartphone software technologies. The major trend in the coming future is to create user ecosystems across borders and provide users with a more convenient, smarter, and seamlessly connected multi-screen experiences,” he continued.
Geely’s commitment to selling smartphones is, in a way, a reversal of the trend where smartphone makers are making inroads into the automotive market, as we’ve seen with Huawei and Xiaomi and their electric vehicle projects.
The move is certainly surprising, but Geely does have a track record of investing in ventures beyond the automotive sphere, including aviation (flying cars and air taxis), ride-sharing, tech incubators and even satellites, among others. However, the smartphone market is highly competitive and we’ll have to wait and see if Geely’s Xingji Shidai can carve out a niche for itself.
“Geely has increased its investments in forward-looking technologies as it accelerates its transformation to becoming an innovative mobility technology enterprise. The development of mobile devices, satellites, and aeromobility are all part of the group’s transformation programmes,” Li said.
“On September 27, Geely’s first satellites rolled off the production line at Geely’s newly operational Intelligent Satellite Production and Testing Centre in Taizhou, paving a new milestone in the group’s efforts to develop an integrated future mobility ecology,” Li added.
So, would you give up your current smartphone for a Geely one? Should you own Proton X50 or X70, which are based on the Geely Binyue and Boyue respectively, it’d make a good pairing, no? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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I propose the new smartphone venture branding to be called ‘ELECTRON’ in honour of having Proton onboard as well.
Better Buy Geely Free Geely Tablet.
Better remove the dashboard lousy Android Auto/Apple Car Play.
Put in a Proper Geely Removable Android Tablet so driver can replace it annually, give it to the kids or sell away good enough for PdPR purposes.
Unlike offering a piecemeal system Geely is giving an ecosystem of convergence between phone, car, software, hardware, satellite centric network.
that is a good idea
All your kids would learn is Xi thought.
New Proton!!!
Of course he does. As Huawei and Xiaomi start their electric vehicle projects, he has to fight them on all battlefields.
hope it will launch before the WW3..
the phone will be powered by GKUI?
It will be as hot as proton bicycle
The proton bicycle was about to learn how to use carbon fibre. To my knowledge, Proton never intended to set up a bicycle factory.
comes with a direct line to the party hq
No thank you. Who wanna use geli brand
Every 2 years, your car/phone becomes obsolete. The only additional thing a car user may accept is probably the key. And the key already comes from the car company. You can put as many things you want into the key, but there is not new, and everyone knows this.
Geely should brand their phone The “G” thang
It’s a good thing to diversify your portfolio but be careful not to go the way of Evergrande. I disgaree with Geely’s move on this. As the author mention here, smartphone is a highly competitive market.
Are they taking over Huawei’s role to infiltrate?
Beli geely HP, dapat Geely Car. Ada brani?
bagi mini geely car model bolehla
Wonder why they did not partner with one of the multitudes of China’s HP manufacturers. Trust issues between themselves?