Baidu looks into making its own electric cars, holding talks with Geely, GAC, FAW, sources say
- After spending years developing autonomous driving technology, Baidu reportedly held talks with Chinese carmakers about making its own electric vehicles
- Tech giants including Tencent, Amazon and Alphabet are all working on autonomous driving in the race to develop smart cars
China’s Baidu is considering making its own electric vehicles and has held talks with carmakers about the possibility, said three people with knowledge of the matter, the latest move in a race among tech firms to develop smart cars.
The search engine leader, which also develops autonomous driving technology and internet connectivity infrastructure, is considering contract manufacturing, one of the people said, or creating a majority-owned venture with carmakers.
The initiative would be a step up from internet peers such as Tencent Holdings, Amazon.com and Alphabet, which have also developed auto-related technology or invested in smart-car start-ups.
Apollo can test AD cars in Beijing without on-board safety driver
Baidu has held preliminary talks – without reaching any decisions – with carmakers including Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Guangzhou Automobile Group and China FAW Group’s Hongqi, on a possible venture, the people said, declining to be identified as the talks were private.
Baidu declined to comment. GAC said it has a strategic partnership with Baidu and that any further cooperation is subject to discussion. Geely said it was not familiar with the matter. FAW did not respond to a request for comment.
Baidu established autonomous driving unit Apollo in 2017. The unit mainly supplies technology powered by artificial intelligence and work with carmakers such as Geely, Volkswagen, Toyota Motor and Ford Motor.
Didi launches first electric vehicle tailored for ride-sharing services
Baidu operates autonomous taxi service Go Robotaxi with safety drivers on board in Beijing, Changsha and Cangzhou, and plans to expand to 30 cities in three years. It gained approval last week to test five cars in Beijing without safety drivers.
Its talks regarding manufacturing come after Didi Chuxing last month launched a purpose-built van for ride-hailing services with carmaker BYD. Meanwhile tech giant Sony in January unveiled an electric concept car with self-driving functions.
Building cars would represent a dramatic development in Baidu’s push to diversify income streams as growth plateaus in its core search business, where revenue grew just 2 per cent last year.
