If you can’t beat them… Mercedes-Benz deepening ties with China’s Geely: report
Fresh reports suggest Mercedes-Benz has entered early-stage talks with China’s Geely to explore potential collaboration on future electric vehicle technology.
According to a Bloomberg report citing an unnamed source, the discussions form part of Mercedes-Benz’s efforts to reduce engineering costs and shorten development times for new EVs.
If an agreement is reached, a new generation of Mercedes-Benz electric models drawing on Geely technology could arrive by around 2030, potentially including replacements for the current CLA sedan and Shooting Brake.
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Geely declined to comment on the report, while a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said the company is “continually reviewing ways to make research and development faster, better and more efficient – both in China and globally”.
The spokesperson added there were no discussions about sharing full vehicle platforms.
The reported talks follow similar moves by other European brands seeking to leverage Chinese EV expertise. Volkswagen, for example, has partnered with EV start-up XPeng and plans to use its architecture for future models in China.
Mercedes-Benz and Geely already have an established relationship. The Chinese car-maker owns 50 per cent of Smart, which has been repositioned as an all-electric brand using Geely-developed platforms and engineering, with Mercedes-Benz responsible for design.
In Australia Geely is rapidly becoming an important presence, selling its eponymous brand, Volvo, Zeekr, Lotus and Polestar.
It also has a joint-venture with Renault called Horse Powertrain to develop ICE engines.
benz has been a long-established luxury brand here and has a strong EV presence in its line-up. The CLA arrives this year.
Despite the denial of platform sharing, reports suggest Mercedes-Benz is interested in Geely’s next-generation “Phoenix” architecture, along with its GEEA electronic architecture.
These systems could potentially underpin future models and replace the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) that will debut under the next-generation CLA.
If a deal proceeds, the use of Geely technology could enable shorter development cycles and improved profitability for future Mercedes-Benz EVs.
