Geely to advance automotive intelligence tech with $50m investment in ECARX

Updated Sep 09, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

The investment amounts to around P2.5-billion.

Geely Automobile Holdings Limited is consistent in making significant moves to advance its automotive intelligence technologies. The latest initiative is its strategic investment agreement with automotive tech company ECARX Technology Co. Ltd.

Geely charging port

Geely continues to innovate its products

Under the agreement, the Chinese car brand will acquire approximately 1.51-percent of ECARX, in exchange for an investment of USD 50 million (or around P2.5-billion). According to Geely, its business vision of innovating automotive intelligence technologies aligns with that of the tech firm.

ECARX is a leading automotive intelligence technology company established by Geely founder Li Shufu and Geely Vice-President for Product Management Shen Ziyu in 2016. Its offices provide connected services on a global basis, with locations in the cities of Hangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Dalian in China, as well as in Sweden.

Both Geely and ECARX aim to develop a range of intelligent automotive technologies, including cockpit operating systems, autonomous driving solutions, and advanced in-car features.

ECARX chip

Geely signed on for a $50m investment in ECARX

However, this is not the first time Geely has ventured into the automotive intelligence market. In fact, it recently launched its open-source EV platform called the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA). The SEA offers advanced capabilities such as a 700-km range, 120-km range charge in less than five minutes, and a zero to 100 rating of under three seconds.

It is equipped with its own OS (operating system), so models engineered under the SEA can keep their systems updated and optimized. One can say that Geely is likely more than prepared for the industry’s shift to the electric vehicle (EV) era that will start in a number of countries by 2030.

Another investment Geely is pursuing is the development of methanol-powered vehicles. When asked about this, Geely Chairman Li Shufu said that methanol vehicle technologies can provide a cleaner alternative to gasoline counterparts. Although he does not anticipate much success as far as development in this area is concerned, Li adds that it won’t stop the company from finding ways to innovate its vehicles.

Geely Okavango front view

Expect more advanced features from the brand in the upcoming years

With all that being said, Geely might actually reach its ambitious goal of becoming the best-selling Chinese automaker by 2025. It continues to establish strategic plans and investments to adapt to the ever-changing automotive industry.

Visit Philkotse.com for more automotive news.

Know more about Geely Okavango 2024

Geely Okavango

The Geely Okavango 2024 is the first seven-seater from Geely Philippines for the Philippine market, which also makes it the biggest model in the lineup so far. Its quirky name was taken from the Okavango Delta, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and the 1,000th World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. Despite its unibody platform, Geely’s third model for Filipino customers is actually longer and wider than mainstream contenders in the truck-based midsize SUV category, measuring 4,835mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,785mm high. Ground clearance, however, is at a rather low 194mm.   

The Geely Okavango’s price in the Philippines ranges from Php 1,363,000 for the base Comfort variant to Php 1,765,000 for the range-topping Urban Plus. Rivals in its segment include the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Nissan Terra, Isuzu D-Max, and Ford Ranger. 

>>> New and used Geely Okavango 2024 for sale in the Philippines

Geely Okavango Launch

The Geely Okavango is known as the Haoyue in the Chinese market. The Haoyue VX11 was officially launched in China last June 2020. 

Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP), the official distributor of Geely vehicles in the country, officially launched the Okavango in November 2020. It is the brand’s challenger in the seven-seater SUV segment. The said vehicle expands Geely Philippines’ model lineup to three including the Coolray and the Azkarra.   

The 2024 Geely Okavango is offered in three variants, Comfort, Urban, and Urban Plus.

Geely Okavango Exterior

The exterior of the Okavango Philippines has a bold and composed stance. The front end comes with sharp-looking headlights, an aggressive bumper design, and a large grille. Turning at the side, the vehicle is integrated with sharp character lines along with prominent fender flares that further add a muscular look to the Okavango. The rear, on the other hand, is equipped with distinctive taillights that look sleek and stylish. It also has a tailgate-mounted spoiler, a shark-fin antenna, and a bulky bumper. 

Geely Okavango exterior

Geely Okavango Interior

Geely PH says that the Okavango features a vast interior space that has a total of 19-seat configurations, 42 storage nooks, and compartments including a double-layer console. Occupants can sit comfortably in all three rows. 

Geely Okavango seats

It has a three-zone air conditioning that will give passengers independent AC controls in the driver, front passenger, and rear passenger seats, a 360-degree panoramic camera with a best-in-class guidance system, and dynamic auxiliary lines. It also has 3 driving modes – Eco, Normal, and Sport.

Tech & Safety

The local-spec Geely Okavango features a 360-degree panoramic camera as well as three driving modes (Eco, Normal, and Spor). In addition, the Okavango is equipped with six SRS airbags, overspeed warning, electronic stability control, hill start assist, central locking with speed-sensing auto lock, and hill descent control. The Urban variant also comes with six airbags.

Geely Okavango interior

Platform & Chassis

The Geely Okavango comes with a MacPherson Independent suspension at the front and a Multi-link suspension setup at the rear. This seven-seater SUV is equipped with ventilated disc brakes up front and a solid disc at the back.

Geely Okavango Engine & Drivetrain

The Geely Okavango 2024 is powered by a 1.5L Turbo engine that was jointly developed by Geely and Volvo which is perfectly matched to a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission.  It also has a Dual Variable-Valve Timing (DVVT) for a perfect balance of power optimization and fuel efficiency.  And thanks to the 48V-EMS, the Okavango boasts of a maximum power of 190 hp and a maximum torque of 300 Nm.

The Geely Okavango 2024 is available in four colors: Grey, White, Silver, and Black. 

Styling on the Geely Okavango 2024 is more subdued relative to its competitors, even more so when compared to its Coolray and Azakarra stablemates. While looks are subjective, the sheer interior space brought on by the vehicle’s size leaves very little room for interpretation. Three-row seating ensures more than adequate room for up to seven occupants, with a flexible configuration for carrying cargo. The top-spec Urban Plus features a large panoramic sunroof. A 10.25-inch touchscreen head unit is offered but without native support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Standard across all variants is a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, rated at a combined output of 190 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. Power is delivered to the front wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, with no option for a four-wheel drivetrain. Airbags, anti-lock brakes, parking sensors, and tire pressure monitoring are offered across the board, with the midrange Urban and flagship Urban Plus getting a 360-degree camera system similar to that used by the Fortuner and Terra. However, unlike most of its rivals, the Okavango does not have adaptive cruise control. 

Geely Okavango 2024 Price List

Variants  Price
Geely Okavango 1.5 AT Comfort ₱1,363,000
Geely Okavango 1.5 AT Urban ₱1,483,000
Geely Okavango 1.5 AT Urban Plus ₱1,765,000

Geely Okavango Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Large dimensions
  • Generous and flexible interior space
  • Triple-zone climate control
  • Mild-hybrid powertrain is both potent and efficient

Cons

  • Low ground clearance compared to most SUVs 
  • Unibody construction less rugged than its rivals
  • Front-wheel drivetrain only

Geely Okavango FAQs

1. How much is the 2024 Geely Okavango in the Philippines?

The price of the Geely Okavango in the Philippines ranges from P1,363,000 to P1,765,000.

2. Is Geely Okavango good for a long drive?

Yes, the Geely Okavango is generally considered a good car for long drives. It has a spacious and comfortable interior with ample legroom and headroom for passengers.

3. What is the fuel consumption of the Geely Okavango?

The 2024 Geely Okavango with the 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has a combined fuel consumption rating of approximately 7.8 liters per 100 kilometers or 29 miles per gallon.

4. Is the Geely Okavango made in China?

Yes, the Geely Okavango is made in China. Geely is a Chinese automobile manufacturer and the Okavango is one of their models that is produced in their manufacturing facilities in China.

5. Is the Geely Okavango 7 seater?

Yes, the Geely Okavango is a seven-seater SUV. It has three rows of seats, with the first two rows able to accommodate three passengers each, and the third row able to accommodate two passengers.

₱ 1,523,000 - ₱ 1,765,000

Explore
Rex Sanchez

Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rexsanchez09

View more