Ji Yue

Ji Yue, also known by its Chinese name 极越, is a Chinese manufacturer and brand of intelligent electric passenger cars. The business is headquartered in Shanghai and is associated with Geely, one of China’s major vehicle manufacturers, and Baidu, a Chinese technology company with capabilities in artificial intelligence, software, mapping and autonomous-driving systems. Ji Yue emerged in 2023 after the earlier Jidu Auto venture was reorganized and its vehicle-manufacturing structure was adjusted. The partnership originated in April 2021, when Baidu and Geely announced a collaboration to develop technologically advanced electric vehicles. The venture was initially known as Jidu Auto. Its intended product concept combined Geely’s vehicle platforms and manufacturing resources with Baidu’s software, artificial-intelligence and human-machine-interaction expertise. Early public descriptions emphasized a robotic design theme and vehicles designed around automation, voice interaction and software-defined functions. The original development plan contemplated substantial investment and a workforce containing a significant software-engineering component. Jidu Auto presented its first major concepts during 2022. A camouflaged prototype was observed in 2021, followed by a pre-production version of the Robo-01 sport-utility vehicle in June 2022. The Robo-01 was a large electric crossover using a Geely-derived modular vehicle architecture. A limited-edition version entered pre-sales in October 2022, with the production vehicle intended to offer advanced driver-assistance capabilities. Jidu also displayed a luxury-sedan concept, later associated with the Robo-02 program, at the Guangzhou Auto Show in late 2022. Changes to the venture’s shareholder structure and management took place in December 2022 and continued into the first half of 2023. Ji Yue was then established as the vehicle brand and manufacturing entity, while Jidu Auto continued to concentrate on technology-related work such as product definition, software and artificial-intelligence development. The revised ownership structure assigned 65 percent to Geely and 35 percent to Baidu. The first production vehicle originally presented as the Jidu Robo-01 was renamed the Ji Yue 01 for the Chinese market. A production version of the sedan associated with the Robo-02 concept was revealed in December 2023 under the Ji Yue 07 name, with market availability planned for 2024. Ji Yue’s vehicles are manufactured and assembled in the Hangzhou Bay area of Ningbo, where Geely operates manufacturing facilities. The brand’s operating model therefore combines a technology-oriented development organization with Geely’s industrial and supply-chain infrastructure. Its intended differentiation is not simply battery-electric propulsion, but the integration of software, artificial intelligence, connected services, voice control and automated driving into the vehicle experience. In December 2024, Ji Yue announced a reorganization and downsizing as it sought to streamline operations and obtain additional funding amid intense competition in China’s electric-vehicle market. This development highlighted the financial and commercial pressure facing newer intelligent-vehicle brands, even when backed by established industrial and technology partners. Ji Yue remains associated with the Ji Yue 01 and Ji Yue 07 programs, although information about its longer-term product roadmap and international expansion is limited in the available reference material.

Ji Yue developed from a strategic collaboration between Baidu and Geely announced in April 2021. Baidu brought experience in artificial intelligence, software, connected services and autonomous-driving research, while Geely supplied automotive engineering, vehicle architecture and manufacturing capabilities. The partnership created Jidu Auto, a Shanghai-based venture intended to develop a new generation of intelligent electric passenger cars. The concept was presented as a software-oriented alternative to conventional automotive development, with an emphasis on robotic styling, natural-language interaction and increasingly automated driving functions. A camouflaged prototype associated with Jidu appeared publicly in September 2021. In June 2022, the venture showed a more complete pre-production prototype of the Robo-01, a large battery-electric crossover based on a Geely modular platform. A limited-edition version entered pre-sales in October 2022, and the program was described as targeting advanced automated-driving capability. Later in 2022, Jidu displayed another concept, a luxury sedan associated with the Robo-02 program, at the Guangzhou Auto Show. These vehicles established the basic product direction that would later be carried into the Ji Yue brand. The venture’s corporate structure changed in December 2022 and during the first half of 2023. Ji Yue was established as the vehicle brand and manufacturing entity in the context of Chinese automotive production-qualification requirements. Jidu Auto shifted toward technology services and development work, including product design and artificial-intelligence systems for Ji Yue vehicles. Following the restructuring, Geely held 65 percent of the joint venture and Baidu held 35 percent. This arrangement gave Geely greater control over industrial execution while preserving Baidu’s role as the principal technology partner. The Robo-01 was renamed the Ji Yue 01 when it was introduced to the Chinese market. The model represented Ji Yue’s initial attempt to bring the partnership’s technology-led concept into series production. It was positioned as a large intelligent electric crossover rather than merely a battery-powered version of an existing Geely vehicle. Its identity centered on software, voice interaction, connected functions and advanced driver assistance. In December 2023, Ji Yue presented the production version of the sedan program previously shown as the Robo-02. The vehicle was named Ji Yue 07 and was planned for release in 2024. Together, the 01 crossover and 07 sedan formed the core of the early Ji Yue range. Production and assembly were associated with the Hangzhou Bay area of Ningbo, where Geely has manufacturing facilities and supply-chain infrastructure. The brand subsequently faced the difficult market conditions affecting many newer electric-vehicle manufacturers in China. Competition intensified across price, battery technology, intelligent-driving features, charging convenience and software services. In December 2024, Ji Yue announced a reorganization and downsizing intended to simplify operations and support efforts to secure additional funding. The announcement marked a significant operational turning point, although the available reference material does not establish a later ownership change, formal bankruptcy or a definitive end to the brand.

• 2024

  Reorganization and downsizing are announced

  [1]Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org

  Ji Yue announced operational streamlining and workforce reductions while seeking additional funding.

• 2023

  Ji Yue is established

  [1]Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org

  The Ji Yue brand and vehicle-manufacturing structure were formed, while Jidu Auto focused on technology development.

• 2023

  Ji Yue 01 is introduced

  [1]Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org

  The former Jidu Robo-01 entered the Chinese market under the Ji Yue 01 name.

• 2023

  Ji Yue 07 production version is revealed

  [1]Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org

  The production sedan derived from the Robo-02 program was revealed as the Ji Yue 07.

• 2022

  Robo-01 pre-production prototype is presented

  [1]Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org

  Jidu presented a large electric crossover prototype that later became the Ji Yue 01.

• 2022

  Robo-01 limited edition enters pre-sales

  [1]Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org

  A limited-edition version of the first crossover program began pre-sales, with mass production planned for the following year.

• 2022

  Robo-02 sedan concept is shown

  [1]Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org

  Jidu displayed a luxury-sedan concept at the Guangzhou Auto Show, establishing the basis for the later Ji Yue 07.

• 2021

  Baidu and Geely announce their electric-vehicle partnership

  [1]Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org

  The two companies announced a collaboration to develop intelligent electric passenger cars through the Jidu Auto venture.

• 2021

  First Jidu prototype is publicly observed

  [1]Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org

  Images of a heavily camouflaged prototype provided an early indication of the venture’s planned vehicle program.

A technology-led Chinese electric-vehicle brand combining Geely vehicle engineering and manufacturing with Baidu software, artificial intelligence and autonomous-driving capabilities.

• Electric crossover · 2023

  Ji Yue 01

  The Ji Yue 01 is a large battery-electric crossover originally developed under the Jidu Robo-01 name. It is built around a Geely-derived modular vehicle platform and represents the first production vehicle of the Ji Yue brand. The model’s intended identity combines electric propulsion with software-led functions, voice interaction, connected services and advanced driver-assistance technology. A limited-edition version entered pre-sales in 2022 before the vehicle was renamed and introduced to the Chinese market as the Ji Yue 01.

• Electric luxury sedan · 2024

  Ji Yue 07

  The Ji Yue 07 is a large electric sedan derived from the concept previously associated with the Jidu Robo-02 program. Ji Yue revealed its production version in December 2023 and planned its market release for 2024. The model extends the brand’s intelligent-vehicle strategy from the crossover segment into a more premium sedan format, with the broader Ji Yue proposition centered on software, artificial intelligence, connectivity and automated-driving assistance.

• 2024

  Jiyue operating crisis triggers suspension and employee compensation dispute

  Jiyue experienced a sudden operating crisis in December 2024 and outlet suspensions. Caixin reported that on December 19 a plan was announced to compensate employees at N+1, with wages settled through December 20 and social insurance and housing fund contributions paid through that month; Baidu and Geely provided advance funds. Catalogued as an operating and employee resettlement event; the compensation promise is not written as fully fulfilled. Progress: media reported business stoppage and a compensation plan. Entity involved: Jiyue Auto-related operating entity.

  Source

• 2024

  "Disbanded on the spot": unpaid wages and lapsed social insurance, employees besiege CEO; owner after-sales and supplier debts unresolved

  On December 11, 2024, Jiyue Auto, a Geely-Baidu joint venture, suddenly announced entry into "Startup 2.0" and was reported to have disbanded on the spot, with unpaid wages and lapsed social insurance; CEO Xia Yiping was besieged by rights-seeking employees at the company. Car owners worried about after-sales and OTA service interruption, and supplier debts were unresolved. After government coordination and advance payments by Baidu and Geely, employees received N+1 compensation one after another before the 2025 Spring Festival. Employees were compensated; the brand effectively halted.

  Source

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• 2024

  Reorganize and downsize operationsStrategy

  Background

  Ji Yue faced intense competition in China’s electric-vehicle market and sought to improve operating efficiency and obtain additional funding.

  Action taken

  The company announced a reorganization and workforce downsizing intended to streamline its operations.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not establish the eventual financing outcome, a formal bankruptcy filing or a subsequent ownership change.

  Source

• 2023

  Create Ji Yue as the vehicle-manufacturing brandStrategy

  Background

  The earlier Jidu Auto structure was adjusted in the context of Chinese automotive production-qualification requirements and the need to separate technology development from vehicle manufacturing.

  Action taken

  Ji Yue was established as the vehicle brand and manufacturing entity, while Jidu Auto concentrated on product design, software and artificial-intelligence development.

  Aftermath

  The ownership structure became 65 percent Geely and 35 percent Baidu, and the Robo-01 was renamed Ji Yue 01 for market introduction.

  Source

• 2023

  Introduce the Ji Yue 01Product launch

  Background

  The first major production vehicle had been developed and promoted as the Jidu Robo-01.

  Action taken

  The crossover was renamed Ji Yue 01 and introduced to the Chinese market.

  Aftermath

  The renamed vehicle became the initial production anchor for the Ji Yue brand.

  Source

1. 1Ji Yueen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Jiyue operating crisis triggers suspension and employee compensation disputecaixin.com
3. 3"Disbanded on the spot": unpaid wages and lapsed social insurance, employees besiege CEO; owner after-sales and supplier debts unresolvednews.qq.com
4. 4"Disbanded on the spot": unpaid wages and lapsed social insurance, employees besiege CEO; owner after-sales and supplier debts unresolvedfinance.sina.com.cn