Mercedes-Benz is considering expanding its collaboration with Geely to leverage technology, shorten development time, and reduce costs for future electric vehicle models.
The global electric vehicle market is entering a phase of intense competition in terms of technology and cost. Traditional automakers must accelerate product development to keep pace with new competitors, especially from China. In this context, collaboration with technology partners has become an option considered by many automakers.
According to several reports from China, Mercedes-Benz has held initial discussions with Geely regarding future electric vehicle development. Sources indicate that new models may utilize some components from Geely to optimize engineering costs and shorten research and development time.
Geely has not commented, while a Mercedes-Benz representative confirmed the company is seeking to improve R&D efficiency in several markets, including China.
However, Mercedes-Benz emphasizes that there have been no formal discussions regarding the sharing of vehicle platforms between the two companies. This information suggests that any cooperation plans, if any, are still in the planning stage and have not yet been implemented.
Mercedes-Benz's move comes as many international automakers have increased cooperation with Chinese partners. Volkswagen recently worked with Xpeng to develop a new electric vehicle architecture. Meanwhile, companies like BYD, Geely, and Chery are emerging thanks to their advantages in battery technology and electric powertrains.
Mercedes-Benz and Geely are currently collaborating through the Smart brand, with a division of responsibilities between design and manufacturing. Other sources suggest that Mercedes-Benz may be considering using Geely's GEA electro-electronic architecture for its next-generation electric vehicle platform, codenamed "Phoenix".
This platform is geared towards mass-market electric vehicle models globally and could launch as early as 2030, replacing the current MMA architecture. If implemented, leveraging technology from a partner could help Mercedes-Benz accelerate product development and improve cost competitiveness. However, the specific extent of the collaboration and its impact on the company's long-term strategy will depend on decisions made in the next phase.