Chinese search giant Baidu teams up with Geely to build electric cars

Chinese search giant Baidu is teaming up with carmaker Geely to build electric vehicles, the latest move by a tech company to shape the future of the autos industry.

Baidu is creating a company to manufacture intelligent electric cars, it said in a statement on Monday. Geely, the largest privately-owned carmaker in China, will invest as a strategic partner, added Baidu.

The new company will use Baidu’s autonomous driving technology and Geely’s electric vehicle modular platform, Baidu said. Geely confirmed the news on Monday in a separate statement.

Carmakers are increasingly open to collaboration with rivals and tech companies as they begin seriously to confront the huge challenge of ditching the internal combustion engine to tackle the climate crisis. The investment required to develop electric cars has helped spark a wave of partnerships, with companies teaming up to spread the costs.

Last week, Hyundai’s stock had its best day in at least two decades after the South Korean automaker was reported to be in early talks with Apple to develop electric cars. Shares in Hyundai continued to surge on Monday, up 8.7%.

Baidu’s car company will focus on passenger vehicles and operate as an independent subsidiary, according to its statement on Monday. Baidu will also utilize its artificial intelligence capabilities and mapping systems.

Geely, which owns Volvo, said in its statement that the company has been trying to transform from a car manufacturer to “a tech company” focused on “intelligent, electric transport.”

No further details about the partnership have been disclosed.

Shares in Geely hit a record high on Monday before closing down 2.6%. The stock soared nearly 20% on Friday, its best day since November 2008, after Reuters reported the company would team up with Baidu.

Baidu shares closed higher last Friday on Wall Street, up 16% to $240.25.