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☆ Geely’s stalled IPO discounts global expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Dec 1 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Electric-car marque Zeekr, controlled by China’s largest private auto group Zhejiang Geely, has hit a roadblock. It is putting on hold its New York initial public offering because of a mismatch in valuation expectations, Reuters reported on Thursday. It was hoped the listing would break the ice and encourage a resurgence in Chinese volumes in U.S. capital markets. Its prospectus was published in November, when global stocks recorded their best performance since 2020. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Katrina Hamlin, Julius Baer’s, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Zhejiang, American, Tata Technologies, X, Barclays, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, York, Mumbai, Europe, United States, China

☆ China's Nio teams up with Geely on auto battery swapping
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The deal makes Geely (GEELY.UL), whose brands range from Volvo to Zeekr, the second automaker to sign a battery swapping partnership with Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio. Battery swapping allows drivers to replace depleted packs quickly with fully charged packs, rather than plugging the vehicle into a charging point. They will look to establish an efficient battery asset management mechanism, build a unified battery swap operation and develop battery swappable vehicles compatible with each other's battery swap systems, the companies added. Battery swapping could ease the strain on power grids at peak times when drivers recharge, but industry analysts and executives expect it would only become feasible if batteries become more standardised. In 2021, Geely said it aimed to set up 5,000 battery swapping stations for EVs globally by 2025.

Persons: Annegret, Nio, Geely, Brenda Goh, Jacqueline Wong, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, HK, Zhejiang Geely Holding, Volvo, Changan Automobile, Nio, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Rights BEIJING, Zhejiang, China

At least Zeekr benefits from having a powerful parent, Geely Automobile, which is part of China’s largest privately owned auto group Zhejiang Geely. But Geely Automobile, which will maintain control of the business after the IPO, has a market capitalisation of only $12.3 billion. The company, owned by Chinese automaker Geely Automobile, hopes to use funds raised to expand its product line. The company reported a net loss of 3.9 billion yuan ($534 million) for the six months to the end of June 2023, compared with a 3.1 billion yuan loss a year earlier. Revenue grew by 136% to 21 billion yuan, with 13.2 billion yuan of that total coming from vehicle sales.

Persons: Zeekr, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Antony Currie, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, U.S, Geely Automobile, HK, Graphics, European Union, Zhejiang, Investors, Revenue, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, New York, Beijing, Washington, Brussels, China, U.S, Europe, China’s, Hong Kong

☆ Volvo shares tumble 14% to record low as Chinese owner Geely sells off stock
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Volvo Cars shares tumbled as much as 14% on Friday morning after its parent company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group began a sale of around 100 million shares of the Swedish carmaker. Volvo shares are down 25% year to date. Geely said in a statement earlier on Friday that it would release further shares of Volvo, which was in line with its long-term strategy. Geely will still hold 78.7% of Volvo shares following the sale, the statement said. Geely previously owned around 82% of Volvo, putting the sold shares at over 3%.

Persons: Geely Organizations: Volvo, Zhejiang Geely Holding, Reuters Locations: Edmonton, Edmonton , Alberta, Canada, Swedish, London

☆ Exclusive: Geely's Zeekr edges closer to US IPO, to make filing public this week - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The EV brand will publish its prospectus and its shares could start being traded on the bourse within weeks of the announcement, the sources said. Zeekr confidentially filed for a U.S. initial public offering last December, aiming to raise more than $1 billion, Reuters has reported. However, the company is likely to raise less than the targeted amount from the IPO, one of the sources said. It offers four EV models in China, with its 001 crossover priced from 269,000 yuan ($36,927.22) as its best-selling EV. ($1 = 7.2846 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Zhang Yan in Shanghai and Scott Murdoch in Sydney.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Zeekr, Zeekr confidentially, Didi, Amnon Shashua, Andy, Zhang Yan, Scott Murdoch, Kane Wu, Kim Coghill Organizations: bourse, underwriters, U.S, Reuters, Mobileye, Intel Corp, Tesla, Zhejiang Geely, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, New York, China, United States, Beijing, Zhejiang, Zeekr, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Israel, Kazakhstan, Shanghai, Sydney, Hong Kong

A man walks past a sign of Geely's new premium electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr at its factory in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, China April 15, 2021. Geely in December said Zeekr had confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO, without detailing size or listing date. If successful, a $1 billion IPO would be the largest U.S. listing by a Chinese firm for over two years since ride-hailing giant Didi raised $4.4 billion in mid 2021. Geely, formally Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (GEELY.UL), established Zeekr in April 2021 to tap into increasing Chinese demand for high-end EVs. ($1 = 7.2883 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Julie Zhu in Hong Kong and Scott Murdoch in Sydney; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: HONG KONG, Geely, Zeekr, Didi, Andy, Julie Zhu, Scott Murdoch, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Yilei, U.S, Zhejiang Geely Holding, Thomson Locations: Ningbo, Zhejiang province, China, HONG, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Singapore, London , New York, Boston , California, U.S, Zhejiang, Netherlands, Sweden, Israel, Kazakhstan, Sydney

☆ China EV maker Zeekr to start investor tour ahead of $1 billion U.S. IPO
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Zeekr 001 electric vehicle (EV) by Geely is seen displayed at the Zeekr booth during a media day for the Auto Shanghai show in Shanghai, China April 19, 2021. Geely in December said Zeekr had confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO, without detailing the size or listing date. If successful, a $1 billion IPO would be the largest U.S. listing by a Chinese firm for over two years since ride-hailing giant Didi raised $4.4 billion in mid-2021. Geely, formally Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, established Zeekr in April 2021 to tap into increasing Chinese demand for high-end EVs. ($1 = 7.2883 Chinese yuan renminbi)

Persons: Geely, Zeekr, Didi, Andy Organizations: Auto Shanghai, U.S, Zhejiang Geely Holding Locations: Shanghai, China, Zeekr, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Singapore, London , New York, Boston , California, U.S, Zhejiang, Netherlands, Sweden, Israel, Kazakhstan

☆ Malaysia eyes more investments to enlarge EV footprint after landmark Tesla deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Tesla's groundbreaking move with Malaysia is a boost to Southeast Asia's place in the EV supply chain and the first deal under the country's Battery Electric Vehicle Global Leaders initiative. There are also plans for Tesla to embark on EV battery manufacturing in Malaysia. Anwar said Malaysia is open to more EV investments, including from Chinese automakers. Tesla Inc. signage during a launch of company's Model Y electric vehicle in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Building readinessStill, Anwar was hesitant to say a full electric vehicle assembly line is in the pipeline.

Persons: Tesla, Anwar Ibrahim, CNBC's Martin Soong, Anwar, Elon Organizations: country's, Vehicle Global, U.S, EV, Bumiputeras, CNBC, Tesla Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, IT, Zhejiang, Infineon Technologies, Proton Locations: Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, China, Shanghai, Selangor, Malay, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Kedah, Geely

☆ EV brand Smart plans funding led by Tianqi Lithium
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, July 13 (Reuters) - EV brand Smart said on Thursday it planned to raise $250-300 million via series-A funding which it hoped would enhance its long-term sustainable development strategy and accelerate its global development. Chinese lithium producer Tianqi Lithium Corp (002466.SZ) has agreed to invest $150 million in the fund raising, Smart said in a statement. Smart, a joint venture of Germany's Mercedes-Benz Group AG (MBGn.DE) and China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (GEELY.UL), said both firms will remain equal controlling shareholders. "Thanks to the support from Mercedes-Benz and Geely, Smart now is accelerating its global development and business operation. Meanwhile, we are more than glad to welcome the strategic investments of worldwide industry leaders, such as Tianqi Lithium," Smart's Global CEO Tong Xiangbei said in the statement.

Persons: Smart, Germany's Mercedes, Tong Xiangbei, Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, Meg Shen Organizations: Lithium Corp, Benz Group AG, Zhejiang Geely Holding, Mercedes, Benz, Smart, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, Zhejiang

☆ At Shanghai show, auto rivals lure drivers with in-car karaoke, crystal balls
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Casey Hall | Thomson Reuters | Casey Has Reported On China'S Consumer Culture Her Base In Shanghai For More Than A Decade | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] A Zeekr X is displayed at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Aly SongSHANGHAI, April 20 (Reuters) - Automakers keen to make a splash at the Shanghai auto show showed off vehicles boasting features from crystal balls to in-car karaoke systems and 3D dashboards, as competition to attract drivers heats up in the world's largest auto market. Chinese automakers have been grabbing market share from foreign rivals in recent years in part by courting drivers with tailored lifestyle services and by releasing new models more quickly. "So many new vehicles, so many new Chinese vehicles looking very good," said Patrick Koller, chief executive of French auto parts supplier Faurecia (EPED.PA). This costs a fortune and it doesn't give you the time to really mature innovations and technology," Koller said.

☆ VW, Rivian, Nissan, BMW lose access to US EV tax credits
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoApril 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury said on Monday that Volkswagen, BMW, Nissan, Rivian, Hyundai and Volvo electric vehicles will lose access to a $7,500 tax credit under new rules for battery sourcing. VW said it was "fairly optimistic" the ID.4 SUV will qualify for the tax credit. Treasury also disclosed General Motors Co (GM.N) electric Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV will qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit. GM said earlier it expected at least some of its EVs would qualify for the $7,500 tax credit under the new rules, including the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq and forthcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV SUV and Blazer EV SUV. Treasury in December said EVs ineligible for the $7,500 consumer tax credit could qualify for a commercial leasing $7,500 credit.

☆ VW, Rivian, Nissan, BMW lose access to U.S. EV tax credits
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoApril 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury said Monday that Volkswagen, BMW, Nissan, Rivian, Hyundai and Volvo electric vehicles will lose access to a $7,500 tax credit under new battery sourcing rules. Treasury also disclosed General Motors (GM.N) electric Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV will qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit. GM said earlier it expected at least some of its EVS would qualify for the $7,500 tax credit under the new rules, including the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq and forthcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV SUV and Blazer EV SUV. Earlier, Ford Motor (F.N) and Chrysler-parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said most of their electric and PHEV models would see tax credits halved to $3,750 on April 18. Treasury in December said EVs ineligible for the $7,500 consumer tax credit could qualify for a commercial leasing $7,500 credit.

Imbalance had long riled Nissan executives who complained Renault did not pay its fair share of costs for innovation and development. In a joint statement to Reuters, Nissan and Renault said they were working toward final partnership terms that would make them more competitive. Nissan will invest and provide technology for the venture but will limit its operational involvement, one of the people told Reuters. In rebalancing talks, Nissan has pushed for protection of its technology to limit any downside from continued partnership, people involved have said. Among technology Nissan wants to protect is its work on solid-state lithium-ion battery making and its e-Power electric hybrid powertrain, the people said.

☆ China's Zeekr launches SUV to boost premium EV sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Companies Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd FollowCHENGDU, China, April 12 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Zeekr on Wednesday launched a new compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) as the Geely-owned (GEELY.UL) brand strives for market share in a premium segment previously dominated by German rivals. With a starting price of 189,800 yuan ($27,615.31), the Zeekr X SUV offers features such as the ability to unlock the car using facial recoginition technology and an in-vehicle refridgerator, CEO Andy An said at an event in China's southwestern city of Chengdu. The company will start delivering the Zeekr X from June this year, he added. ($1 = 6.8730 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Zoey Zhang and Brenda Goh Editing by Kenny Maxwell and David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China's Meizu unveils first smartphones since deal with Geely founder
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A company run by Geely Chairman Eric Li took a majority stake in Meizu last year, making the Volvo owner the first established carmaker to enter the premium smartphone sector. He later named the company Xingji Meizu, with the brand as its smartphone arm. Other tech-auto partnerships in China include Huawei Technologies (HWT.UL), whose Harmony operating system powers Seres cars. Meizu, a two-decade-old Chinese consumer electronics company, rose to prominence early in the 1ast decade as an up-and-coming Chinese Android. ($1 = 6.8766 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Josh Horwitz, Zhang Yan and Brenda GohOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Exclusive: Volvo readies EV blitz in biggest product revamp under Geely
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Norihiko Shirouzu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] A Volvo S60 is displayed during the inauguration of Volvo Cars first U.S. production plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina, U.S., June 20, 2018. The Swedish carmaker, wholly owned by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, is expected to launch at least six new battery electric vehicles through 2026, the two people told Reuters. The previously unreported product plans amount to the largest revamp of Volvo’s model line-up since Geely acquired the brand from Ford Motor Co (F.N) in 2010. Under Geely, Volvo initially started to share technologies such as car platforms with Geely. Volvo has carved out and sold its gasoline engine and hybrid powertrain operations to Geely.

Follow @KatrinaHamlin on TwitterloadingCONTEXT NEWSHong Kong-listed Apollo Future Mobility said on Jan. 12 that it had agreed to buy Chinese electric-car maker WM Motor Global for HK$15.9 billion ($2.02 billion). To fund the acquisition of its larger peer, Apollo will issue 28.8 billion new shares at HK$0.55 each. Apollo shares fell 8.6% and were trading at HK$0.23 by market close on Jan. 12. WM Motor Global filed for a Hong Kong initial public offering in May 2022, but the application lapsed in November. WM Motor Global’s owner, WM Motor Holdings, is the largest shareholder in Apollo Future Mobility, and WM Motor founder Freeman Shen sits on the latter’s board as co-chair.

That compares with a valuation of about $9 billion in its maiden external fundraising last year. In doing so, it joins a growing list of Chinese automakers looking to launch or expand sales of EVs in the region. The automotive group led by founder Li Shufu now houses seven brands manufacturing electric vehicles, of which three are high-end brands. According to two of the sources, Zeekr also considered Hong Kong as its listing venue but picked New York in the hope of achieving a higher valuation. Zeekr was established by Geely, formally known as Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (GEELY.UL), in April 2021 to tap into increasing Chinese demand for premium EVs.

HONG KONG, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Zeekr, Chinese automaker Geely's upmarket electric car brand, has confidentially filed for a U.S. initial public offering, aiming to raise more than $1 billion, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. That compares with a valuation of about $9 billion in its maiden external fundraising last year. In doing so, it joins a growing list of Chinese automakers looking to launch or expand sales of EVs in the region. According to two of the sources, Zeekr also considered Hong Kong as its listing venue but picked New York in the hope of achieving a higher valuation. It said in October it would spin Zeekr off but did not identify a listing venue or the likely value of an offering.

☆ Geely's Zeekr plans electric vehicle sales in Europe in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A Zeekr 001 electric vehicle (EV) by Geely is seen displayed at the Zeekr booth during a media day for the Auto Shanghai show in Shanghai, China April 19, 2021. REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoSHANGHAI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Zhejiang Geely Holding Group's (GEELY.UL) premium electric car business plans to sell the first electric vehicle produced under the Zeekr brand in Europe next year, Zeekr's CEO said. Zeekr joins a growing list of Chinese automakers looking to launch or expand sales of electric vehicles in Europe next year, including BYD (002594.SZ), Xpeng (9868.HK) and Great Wall Motors (601633.SS). An said Geely would market its 001 electric crossover in Europe next year. The base model Zeekr 001 sells for the equivalent of $41,000 in China compared with $40,000 for the Tesla (TSLA.O) Model Y after a recent price cut.

☆ Geely’s pricey cars can hope for some premium spin
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Nov 1 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Geely Automobile (0175.HK) is hiving off its young electric vehicle brand, Zeekr. The Hong Kong-listed group’s chairman and founder Li Shufu has a lot riding on how the deal is positioned as the valuations of its homegrown rivals crash. Parent Zhejiang Geely’s extensive experience building battery-powered models and the Volvo Car (VOLCARb.ST) owner’s track record overseas suggests the upstart can scale rapidly. So far so good: Zeekr, which launched only last year, sold nearly 40,000 premium cars in the first nine months. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Chinese automaker Geely's new energy brand Farizon raises over $300 mln
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING/HONG KONG, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Chinese automaker Geely's new energy vehicle subsidiary on Wednesday said its brand Farizon has raised over $300 million from a funding round led by Asian logistics firm Global Logistics Properties' (GLP) investment arm Hidden Hill Capital. The new capital raise, which involves other investors such as Chinese logistics and chemical group Transfar and an investment firm backed by major Chinese investment bank CITIC Securities, came as Geely stepped up its new energy vehicle development. Hangzhou-based Geely Holding Group, owner of Zhejiang Geely New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group which sells Farizon, is known globally with its investments in Volvo Cars and Mercedes-Benz. Farizon will use much of the funding "for research & development and ecosystem development, in order to further consolidate its market-leading position in new energy commercial vehicles," Zhejiang Geely New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group said in a statement. Geely New Energy Commercial Vehicle did not disclose Farizon's valuation in the statement.

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