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Livan Automotive

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Livan Automotive (Chinese: 睿蓝汽车; pinyin: Ruìlán Qìchē) is a joint venture company between Lifan Group and Geely Qizheng, a company owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding (ZGH). The brand was founded in 2022 following a merger between Geely-owned Maple and Lifan Technology.

Livan Automotive
FormerlyShanghai Maple Automobile (2000–2010)
Maple (2019–2022)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutomotive
Founded2000 (Fengjing) as Shanghai Maple Guorun Automobile Co., Ltd.
上海華普汽車 (first incarnation)
2020 (second incarnation)
DefunctDefunct during 2010–2020
HeadquartersFengjing,
Shanghai
,
China
Area served
  • China
  • Russia
ProductsAutomobiles
Owner
ParentZhejiang Geely Holding
SubsidiariesShanghai LTI Automobile Components Co., Ltd.
Websitelivanauto.com

In China, Livan targeted the battery-swapping electric vehicle market. The joint venture manufactures electric vehicles using Geely's existing platforms under Livan and Maple brands. In export markets such as Russia, Livan became Geely's budget brand selling internal combustion vehicles.

On January 24, 2022, after Lifan Group was acquired by ZGH,[1] Geely reconsolidated and merged its previous subsidiary Maple Automobile Co., Ltd. into the Livan brand. This move resulted in Maple exiting the market as an independent brand and becoming a model name under the Livan brand.[2][3][4]

History

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Originally Shanghai Maple (SMA, Shanghai Maple Automobiles), the brand was established in 2000, producing Huapu (Maple) branded vehicles.[5] The first Shanghai Maple vehicle was produced in the summer of 2003, based on the 1990s-era Citroën ZX.[6] Geely acquired a strategic holding in Shanghai Maple in 2002, and in 2008, Shanghai Maple was fully consolidated into Geely as their budget brand before it was phased out in 2010 in favor of the Englon budget brand.[7][8]

In March 2013, Geely and Kandi Technologies established a 50:50 joint venture, Zhejiang Kandi Electric Vehicles Investment, focused on the research and development, production, marketing, and sale of electric vehicles in the Chinese mainland.[9][10] As a result of this partnership, the Maple brand was revived in 2020. The revived Maple brand began producing a series of affordable electric cars based on existing Geely petrol cars, beginning with the Maple 30X, based on the Geely Vision X3.[11]

In March 2021, Kandi Technologies exited its stake, transferring its 22 percent equity interest to Geely.[12] In 2022, Geely launched a joint venture between Lifan and Maple called Livan (Ruilan, 睿蓝). Geely announced the launch of the Maple Leaf 60S, Geely's first battery swap car under the Livan brand, produced in association with Lifan and based on the Geely Emgrand GL.[13][14][15] In early 2022 the Maple brand was folded into the new Livan brand, becoming a model name used on legacy designs.

During the Livan brand launch later in June 2022, a brand new model, the Livan 7 electric fastback crossover was teased,[16] while a few days later at the 2022 Chongqing Auto Show, the Livan 9 electric mid-size crossover SUV was shown for the first time being developed based on the Geely Haoyue.[17]

Livan entered the Russian market in mid-2023. Instead of being an electric vehicle brand, Livan in Russia became Geely's budget brand, selling older Geely models with modified styling.[18][19]

In February 2024, Geely Automobile Holdings sold its 45% stake in Livan Automotive to Geely Qizheng, another company under Zhejiang Geely Holding. Currently, Geely Qizheng and Lifan Technology hold 45% and 55% of Livan respectively, both are holding subsidiaries of Geely Group and still retained within the Geely Group.[20][21]

Timeline of Maple, Kandi and Livan
Year Company name Ownership Marque marketed Note
Shanghai Maple (2000–2010)
2000 Shanghai Maple Automobiles Maple The establishment of Shanghai Maple.[22]
2008 Shanghai Maple Automobiles Geely Fully acquired by Geely.
2010 Shanghai Maple Automobiles Geely None Maple marque was consolidated and replaced by the Englon.
Kandi (2013–2019)
2013 Kandi Electric Vehicles Geely (50%)

Kandi (50%)

Kandi Kandi and Shanghai Maple (Geely) established 50:50 joint venture, Kandi Electric Vehicles.[23]
Maple (2019–2021)
2019 Fengsheng Automobile Technology Geely (78%)

Kandi (22%)

Maple
  • Geely acquired the majority of the Kandi Electric Vehicles, renamed it to Fengsheng Automobile.[24]
  • The Maple marque was revived.
2021 Fengsheng Automobile Technology Geely Geely acquired all the stake of the joint venture.[12]
2021 Livan Automotive Geely (50%)

Lifan Technology (50%)

  • Geely and Lifan Technology established 50:50 joint venture, Livan Automotive.[25]
  • The Livan Automotive inherits the Maple marque from Fengsheng Automobile.[26]
Livan (2024–present)
2022 Livan Automotive Geely (50%)

Lifan Technology (50%)

Livan
  • Livan marque operates independently.
  • Maple brand was folded into the Livan, becoming a model name used on legacy designs.[14]

Product

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Current models

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  •  
    Maple 60S
  •  
    Maple 80V
  •  
    Livan 7
  •  
    Livan 8
  •  
    Livan 9

Export models

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  •  
    Livan X3 Pro

Discontinued models

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  •  
    Maple 30X

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jiang, Michael (2020-08-13). "Chuan Geely's acquisition of Lifan plus Southwest Market may be the main reason". SMM: Shanghai Metals Market. SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 2023-05-17.
  2. ^ ""枫叶"汽车或退出市场". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "睿蓝汽车官方网站-换电轻出行普及者". www.livanauto.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  4. ^ 网易 (2022-01-24). "独家"枫叶"汽车或退出市场 吉利、力帆合资公司将推新品牌、新车定位5-8万元". www.163.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  5. ^ "Shanghai Maple Automobile Co. Ltd". Investing.businessweek.com. Retrieved 16 February 2022.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "9968,com-【用心服务】-9499,com_9499,com". Chinacartimes.com. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Englon brand to get major boost in 2011". ChinaCarTimes.com. 2010-10-29.
  8. ^ "Automotive World". Automotiveworld.com. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Geely subsidiary signs joint EV venture deal". The China Post. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Kandi Technologies Corp's Zhejiang Kandi Vehicles Co Ltd Enters Into Joint Venture Agreement With Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd's Guorun Automobile Co Ltd". Reuters. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  11. ^ Randall, Chris (20 April 2020). "Maple 30x is a new low-cost EV from China". Electrive.com. Archived from the original on 2022-12-06.
  12. ^ a b "Kandi Technologies Exits Geely Affiliation" (Press release). Nasdaq, Inc. 2021-03-15. Archived from the original on 2023-07-04.
  13. ^ "Maple Leaf 60S To Launch in February - With Battery Swap in 60 seconds". CarNewsChina.com. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  14. ^ a b Borrás, Jo (22 January 2022). "Geely-backed Maple Leaf 60S leaked ahead of Feb. debut, with 60 sec. battery swap". Electrek.co. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  15. ^ Chan, Mick (2022-01-24). "Maple Leaf 60S electric sedan to debut in February – 136 hp/230 Nm, 60-second battery swap, 415 km range". Archived from the original on 2023-02-20.
  16. ^ "睿蓝7概念车首发亮相".
  17. ^ "2022重庆车展探馆：睿蓝9实车将亮相".
  18. ^ "Livan в России: цена объявлена, но дилеры не готовы" [Livan in Russia: Price announced, but dealers not ready]. autoreview.ru (in Russian). 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  19. ^ "Кросс-хэтчбек Livan X3 Pro: старт продаж в России" [https://autoreview.ru/news/kross-hetchbek-livan-x3-pro-start-prodazh-v-rossii%5D. autoreview.ru (in Russian). 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2024-11-28. {{cite web}}: External link in |trans-title= (help)
  20. ^ Monika (2024-02-21). "Geely Automobile to transfer equity in Livan Automotive". autonews.gasgoo.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  21. ^ "吉利汽车，大动作". www.stcn.com. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  22. ^ 网易 (2024-05-17). "华普发展史（上）：李书福胞弟为啥没能做出第二个吉利？". www.163.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  23. ^ "浙江康迪电动汽车有限公司正式成立". www.caam.org.cn. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  24. ^ "吉利将康迪电动收归麾下，持股增加到78% - 第一电动网". www.d1ev.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  25. ^ "汽势焦点：吉利整合力帆收尾步正轨 娄源发领衔新高管团队_车家号_发现车生活_汽车之家". chejiahao.autohome.com.cn (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  26. ^ 连线出行 (2024-11-28). "子公司卖给理想、自己卖身吉利，谁还记得力帆？-36氪". 36kr.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  27. ^ "The Livan S6 Pro sedan will appear in Russia in October". eng.autostat.ru. 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  28. ^ "Первый тест Livan X3 Pro: самого доступного в России нового кроссовера с двумя педалями" [First test of Livan X3 Pro: the most affordable new crossover with two pedals in Russia]. auto.ru. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  29. ^ "В Россию приехали седан Livan S6 Pro и кроссовер Livan X6 Pro". Autoreview.ru (in Russian). 2023-10-18. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
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