Jidu Auto
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Chinese intelligent-electric-vehicle technology company established by Baidu and Geely.
Last updated November 4, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
Jidu Auto is a Chinese intelligent-electric-vehicle venture created by Baidu and Geely. It was established in March 2021 with a mission centered on artificial intelligence, advanced vehicle interfaces, autonomous-driving technology, and the development of electric vehicles. Baidu contributed expertise in software, artificial intelligence, mapping, voice interaction, and autonomous-driving systems, while Geely supplied automotive manufacturing experience and access to vehicle-development and production resources. The venture was initially presented as a premium intelligent-EV company rather than a conventional carmaker. Its intended products combined battery-electric propulsion with software-led functions, including intelligent cockpit systems, voice interaction, and assisted or autonomous driving. Jidu’s initial corporate structure reflected Baidu’s role as the technology and controlling partner, but the venture did not independently hold the manufacturing qualification required to produce vehicles in China. This regulatory and organizational constraint later shaped the development of a related vehicle brand. Jidu reported an initial investment of approximately US$300 million when it was founded and completed a US$400 million Series A financing round from Baidu and Geely in January 2022. In December 2022, its legal name changed to Shanghai Mihang Automobile Co., Ltd. The change did not eliminate the Jidu identity as a technology and product-development organization, but it formed part of a broader restructuring of the partnership. In February 2023, Jidu announced that production vehicles would use Baidu’s internally developed Ernie artificial-intelligence system. The proposed use of a generative-AI system in a production vehicle positioned the venture around conversational and interactive vehicle experiences, rather than only conventional infotainment or driver-assistance functions. In August 2023, Baidu and Geely established the Ji Yue brand through a new corporate arrangement. Geely held 65 percent and Baidu 35 percent of the new entity, making Ji Yue a Geely-controlled brand rather than a joint venture controlled by Baidu. The structure was intended to address China’s vehicle-manufacturing qualification requirements while preserving Baidu’s role in intelligent driving, artificial intelligence, interface technology, product design, and engineering. Jidu Auto consequently became principally associated with technology solutions and vehicle development for Ji Yue products. The vehicle originally associated with Jidu as the Robo-01 was renamed Ji Yue 01 when the new brand was introduced. The Ji Yue marque also inherited the logo created for Jidu. The related product range subsequently included the Ji Yue 01 battery-electric mid-size SUV, the Ji Yue 07 battery-electric mid-size sedan, and the Ji Yue Robo X battery-electric sports-car concept. These vehicles were manufactured and assembled at Geely facilities in the Hangzhou Bay area of Ningbo. Jidu Auto is therefore best understood as the technology and product-development foundation of the Baidu-Geely intelligent-EV project, while Ji Yue became the customer-facing automotive brand for vehicles produced under the restructured partnership. Its principal strategic significance lies in combining a major Chinese technology company’s AI capabilities with an established automaker’s vehicle engineering, manufacturing infrastructure, and regulatory qualifications.
History
Jidu Auto was founded in March 2021 by Baidu and Geely as a technology-focused intelligent-electric-vehicle venture. The project brought together Baidu’s capabilities in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, mapping, voice systems, and software with Geely’s automotive engineering, supply-chain, manufacturing, and vehicle-development resources. Jidu was conceived as a premium intelligent-EV company whose products would place software and AI at the center of the driving and passenger experience. At formation, Jidu reportedly received approximately US$300 million in investment. The venture then completed a US$400 million Series A financing round from Baidu and Geely in January 2022. These investments supported the development of electric-vehicle platforms, intelligent cockpit functions, autonomous-driving systems, and the first generation of Jidu-branded vehicle concepts and prototypes. On December 7, 2022, Jidu changed its legal name to Shanghai Mihang Automobile Co., Ltd. The company continued to be publicly associated with the Jidu project and its intelligent-vehicle ambitions. On February 15, 2023, it announced that production vehicles would incorporate Baidu’s Ernie artificial-intelligence technology. This announcement emphasized conversational and interactive functions in the vehicle and represented an attempt to extend generative AI from general software applications into production automobiles. The partnership’s structure changed during 2023. Chinese regulation requires an eligible manufacturing qualification for vehicle production, while Baidu’s role as the controlling company of Jidu created a constraint in obtaining that qualification. To address this issue, Baidu and Geely established the Ji Yue brand in August 2023 through a new company in which Geely owned 65 percent and Baidu owned 35 percent. Geely’s controlling position placed the new vehicle brand within the Geely group structure and enabled the partnership to use Geely’s manufacturing qualifications and production infrastructure. Following the creation of Ji Yue, Jidu Auto’s role shifted toward technology solutions, product design, product engineering, AI driving, and advanced user-interface development for Ji Yue vehicles. The former Jidu Robo-01 was renamed Ji Yue 01, and Ji Yue retained the logo originally created for Jidu. The associated range included the Ji Yue 01 battery-electric mid-size SUV, the Ji Yue 07 battery-electric mid-size sedan, and the Ji Yue Robo X battery-electric sports-car concept. Production and assembly of Ji Yue vehicles took place in the Hangzhou Bay area of Ningbo, where Geely operates vehicle plants and maintains a major corporate presence. This restructuring means that Jidu Auto is not simply a discontinued vehicle badge. It became the technology and development side of a broader Baidu-Geely automotive project, while Ji Yue assumed the principal consumer-facing vehicle-brand role. Jidu’s history consequently combines startup financing, AI and autonomous-driving development, regulatory considerations, and a transition from an intended standalone intelligent-EV venture to a technology partner within a Geely-controlled automotive structure.
- 2023
Ernie AI announced for production vehicles
[1]Jidu announces on February 15 that Baidu’s Ernie AI system will be integrated into production vehicles for interactive in-car experiences.
- 2023
Ji Yue brand is established
[1]Baidu and Geely establish Ji Yue in August under a Geely-controlled ownership structure, with Jidu becoming primarily associated with technology and vehicle development.
- 2023
Robo-01 becomes Ji Yue 01
[1]The vehicle previously identified as the Jidu Robo-01 is renamed Ji Yue 01 under the new consumer-facing brand.
- 2022
Series A financing
[1]Jidu completes a US$400 million Series A financing round from Baidu and Geely in January.
- 2022
Legal name change
[1]On December 7, Jidu changes its legal name to Shanghai Mihang Automobile Co., Ltd.
- 2021
Jidu Auto is founded
[1]Baidu and Geely establish Jidu Auto in March as a technology company focused on intelligent and autonomous battery-electric vehicles.
- 2021
Initial investment
[1]The newly established venture is reported to begin with approximately US$300 million in investment.
Products and positioning
Premium intelligent electric vehicles and AI-based automotive technology
Battery-electric mid-size SUV · 2023
Jidu Robo-01 / Ji Yue 01
The Robo-01 was the first major vehicle associated with Jidu’s intelligent-EV program. After the creation of Ji Yue, it was renamed Ji Yue 01 and became part of the new brand’s production range. The model represents the transition from Jidu’s original vehicle identity to the Geely-controlled Ji Yue structure, while retaining the project’s focus on software-defined vehicle functions, intelligent interaction, and electric propulsion.
Battery-electric mid-size sedan · 2024
Ji Yue 07
The Ji Yue 07 is a battery-electric mid-size sedan developed within the Baidu-Geely intelligent-vehicle program. It is associated with Jidu’s continuing technology role in product engineering, AI driving, and advanced user-interface development, although the customer-facing vehicle identity belongs to Ji Yue rather than Jidu Auto.
Battery-electric sports-car concept
Ji Yue Robo X
The Robo X is a battery-electric sports-car concept associated with the Ji Yue product program. It demonstrates the broader design and technology ambitions of the Baidu-Geely project beyond practical SUV and sedan formats. The available reference material identifies it as a concept rather than a confirmed mass-production vehicle.
Controversies
2024
Jiyue business crisis triggers suspension and employee compensation dispute
Jiyue experienced a sudden business crisis and store suspensions in December 2024. Caixin reported that on December 19 it announced a compensation plan for employees at N+1, with wages settled through December 20 and social insurance and housing provident fund paid through that month, while Baidu and Geely provided advance funds. It is recorded as an operational and employee resettlement event, and the compensation promise is not written as fully fulfilled. Progress: media reported the business halt and compensation plan. Involved entity: Jiyue auto-related operating entity. Scope: operational and employee resettlement events in the Jidu and Jiyue-related carmaking business.
2024
Jiyue "disbands on the spot"; employees face unpaid wages and lapsed social insurance
In December 2024, Jidu (Jiyue brand), a Baidu-Geely joint venture, suddenly "disbanded on the spot" due to Baidu's withdrawal and a capital chain rupture. About 5,000 employees faced unpaid wages, lapsed social insurance, and layoffs, while car owners' after-sales service and supplier debts were left unresolved, causing public outcry. After employees defended their rights, Baidu and Geely advanced funds paid through a government jointly managed account, with N+1 compensation distributed before January 20, 2025; there was no clear plan for supplier debts.
Brand decisions
2023
Integrating Ernie AI into production vehiclesProduct launchBackground
Jidu sought to differentiate its intelligent vehicles through conversational and interactive artificial-intelligence functions rather than limiting software to conventional infotainment.
Action taken
The company announced that Baidu’s self-developed Ernie AI system would be used in production cars.
Aftermath
The announcement reinforced Jidu’s positioning as an AI-led automotive technology venture, although the reference material does not provide detailed production specifications or subsequent performance results.
2023
Transition to the Ji Yue structureStrategyBackground
Baidu’s controlling position in Jidu created a difficulty under Chinese vehicle-manufacturing qualification rules, while Geely already possessed automotive manufacturing capabilities and infrastructure.
Action taken
Baidu and Geely established Ji Yue with Geely holding 65 percent and Baidu 35 percent. Jidu shifted toward product design, engineering, AI driving, and advanced interface technology for Ji Yue vehicles.
Aftermath
The Robo-01 was renamed Ji Yue 01, Ji Yue became the principal vehicle brand, and Jidu remained associated with the technology and development side of the partnership.
Recent events
Reported
JIDU closes nearly $400 million Series A financing[8]
JIDU announced that it had closed Series A financing, raising nearly $400 million. The round was backed by Baidu and strategic partner Geely.
Reported
JiDU unveils Robocar logo and visual identity[9]
JiDU unveiled a pixel-inspired logo for its Robocar brand and introduced the brand's signature color and exclusive font.
Sources11 sources
- 1Jidu Auto - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- 2Jidu Auto official websitejidu.com
- 3About Us - JIDUjidu.com
- 4Jiyue business crisis triggers suspension and employee compensation disputecaixin.com
- 5Jiyue "disbands on the spot"; employees face unpaid wages and lapsed social insurancefinance.sina.com.cn
- 6Jiyue "disbands on the spot"; employees face unpaid wages and lapsed social insurancetmtpost.com
- 7Jiyue "disbands on the spot"; employees face unpaid wages and lapsed social insurancefinance.sina.com.cn
- 8集度完成近 4 亿美元 A 轮融资prnewswire.com
- 9集度发布Robocar标识及视觉形象autonews.gasgoo.com
- 10阻击“华为造车”？百度联合吉利推新车，售价超20万元，4月发布k.sina.com.cn
- 11Baidu-Owned Jidu Raises $400M in Fresh Funding to Advance Robocar Plans - Coinspeakercoinspeaker.com
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/jidu-auto · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled