Qianli Technology Pushes Back on Huawei Comparisons in Geely Partnership
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Chongqing Qianli Technology holds a press conference on Sept. 28 in Chongqing. Photo: Qianli Technology
Chongqing Qianli Technology Co. Ltd. is distancing itself from comparisons to Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.’s car business unit as it sharpens its bet on artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving in partnership with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd.
“Our genes and capabilities are very different,” Yin Qi, chairman of Qianli Technology, said at a media interview on Sept. 28, the company’s first public event since it formed a smart-driving joint venture with Geely in March. “We deeply respect Huawei, but we hope to provide a different kind of solution,” he said.
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Explore the story in 30 seconds
- Qianli Technology, formed in March 2024 with Geely and others, is focusing on AI and autonomous driving, distancing itself from Huawei's car business comparisons.
- The firm plans to launch an L3 autonomous driving solution by end-2024, generate large-scale smart-driving revenue by 2026, and deploy 1,000 Robotaxis in 10 cities within 18 months.
- In 2024, revenue grew 3.9% to 7 billion yuan ($970 million), mainly from vehicle sales; H1 2025 revenue rose 40% to 4.2 billion yuan.
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Who’s Who
- Chongqing Qianli Technology Co.Ltd.
- Chongqing Qianli Technology Co.Ltd. is an AI-focused smart-driving company formed in March through a joint venture, with Geely Holding Group, Chongqing Mach-Drive, Lotus Robotics, and an employee stock ownership platform as stakeholders. It aims to develop an open platform for autonomous driving solutions, distinguishing itself from Huawei's car business. Yin Qi chairs the company, which also includesformer Huawei auto business COO Wang Jun. Qianli plans to launch an L3-level autonomous driving solution by year-end.
- Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
- Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. operates a car business unit, referred to as "Car BU," which has since become an independent company named Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. This unit develops components and autonomous driving systems for various car manufacturers. Notably, a former Huawei auto business chief operating officer, Wang Jun, is now part of Qianli Technology.
- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd.
- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. is a major partner in Chongqing Qianli Technology Co. Ltd., holding a 30% stake. Geely transferred ownership or partial ownership of 14 smart-driving technologies, showcasing its significant contribution to the joint venture's focus on AI and autonomous driving solutions. Geely founder and Chairman Li Shufu attended a public event for Qianli Technology, emphasizing their commitment to this partnership.
- Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd.
- Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. is the independent company that was formerly Huawei's car business unit. It develops components and autonomous driving systems for multiple car manufacturers. Chongqing Qianli Technology Co.Ltd. chairman Yin Qi denied that Qianli aims to become a Geely version of Yinwang, emphasizing a focus on open commercial alliance and international markets.
- Chongqing Mach-Drive
- Chongqing Mach-Drive is a smart-driving arm formed by AI firm Megvii Technology Ltd. in 2021. It holds a 30% stake in Qianli Technology, a smart-driving joint venture with Geely, and has transferred ownership of its car-related businesses to the venture.
- Megvii Technology Ltd.
- Megvii Technology Ltd. is an AI firm and one of China's "AI Four Dragons." In 2021, it formed Chongqing Mach-Drive as its smart-driving arm. Megvii co-founder Yin Qi led its shift to smart driving after its IPO efforts stalled. Its car-related businesses were transferred to Qianli Technology, a joint venture with Geely, in which Megvii holds an indirect stake.
- Lotus Robotics
- Lotus Robotics is a stakeholder in Qianli Technology, holding a 5% stake. They contributed usage rights for three smart-driving technologies to the joint venture formed by Qianli Technology, Geely, and Chongqing Mach-Drive, which focuses on AI and autonomous driving solutions.
- SenseTime
- SenseTime is one of China's "AI Four Dragons," a group of prominent artificial intelligence firms. This information is mentioned in the context of Yin Qi, the founder of Megvii, which is also part of this group.
- CloudWalk Technology
- CloudWalk Technology is identified as one of China's "AI Four Dragons," alongside SenseTime, Megvii, and Yitu Technology. No further details about CloudWalk Technology are provided in this article.
- Yitu Technology
- Yitu Technology is one of China's "AI Four Dragons," a group of prominent artificial intelligence firms. It is mentioned alongside SenseTime, CloudWalk Technology, and Megvii, whose founder, Yin Qi, later transitioned into the automotive sector.
- Chongqing Lifan Holdings Ltd.
- In November, Yin took over as chairman of struggling local automaker Chongqing Lifan Holdings Ltd., tasked with leading its transition to new-energy vehicles and AI. In February, Lifan rebranded as Qianli Technology, adding heavyweight executives including former Huawei auto business chief operating officer Wang Jun, Geely chief scientist for intelligent driving Chen Qi, and Megvii co-founder Yang Mu.
- Mercedes-Benz (Shanghai) Digital Technology Co.Ltd.
- Mercedes-Benz (Shanghai) Digital Technology Co. Ltd. acquired a 3% stake in Qianli Technology to settle a debt. This acquisition was announced on September 25th. Following this, Qianli Technology will collaborate with Mercedes-Benz on smart cockpits and smart driving initiatives.
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What Happened When
- 2019：
- Megvii filed for a Hong Kong listing, but was placed on a U.S. trade blacklist, derailing its plans.
- 2021：
- Megvii made a subsequent A-share IPO attempt, which cleared an initial regulatory hurdle but stalled before final registration.
- 2021：
- Chongqing Mach-Drive was formed by Megvii Technology Ltd. as its smart-driving arm.
- July 2024：
- Megvii signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Geely in Chongqing.
- November 2024：
- Yin Qi took over as chairman of Chongqing Lifan Holdings Ltd.
- February 2025：
- Lifan rebranded as Qianli Technology, adding executives including Wang Jun, Chen Qi, and Yang Mu.
- March 2025：
- Qianli Technology was established as the main venture for Geely’s smart-driving business integration and formed a smart-driving joint venture with Geely.
- Sept. 25, 2025：
- Mercedes-Benz (Shanghai) Digital Technology Co.Ltd. acquired a 3% stake in Qianli Technology.
- Sept. 28, 2025：
- Qianli Technology held its first public event since forming the joint venture with Geely.
AI generated, for reference only
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