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IM Motors

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Zhiji Motors" redirects here. Not to be confused with Shinjin Motors.
Zhiji Automotive Technology Co., Ltd
(IM Motors)
Company typeJoint venture
IndustryAutomotive
FoundedDecember 2020; 4 years ago (December 2020) (Shanghai)
Headquarters
Shanghai
,
China
Area served
China
Key people
Liu Tao (co-CEO)[1]
ProductsElectric vehicles
OwnerSAIC Motor (54%)
Alibaba Group (18%)
Zhangjiang Hi-Tech (18%)
Websitewww.immotors.com

IM Motors (Chinese: 智己汽车, Zhiji Motors) is an electric vehicle joint venture between Chinese automobile manufacturer SAIC Motor and Chinese technology companies Zhangjiang Hi-Tech and Alibaba Group.

Etymology

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The company's English name IM stands for "Intelligence in Motion". Its Chinese name is Zhiji Motors (智己汽车).[2]

History

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The IM Motors joint venture between SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech was established in December 2020, and a 3D rendering of the company's upcoming sedan, aiming to compete with the Tesla Model S, was presented later in January 2021.[1][2]

A dynamically developing industry in China, the so-called New Energy Vehicles are distinguished by their high-performance and high power drive systems.[3]

In April 2021 at the Auto Shanghai auto show, IM Motors presented three vehicles; the L7 electric executive car prototype,[4] along with two concepts, the LS7 mid-size SUV and the Airo designed by English designer Thomas Heatherwick.[5][6]

In December 2022, IM Motors officially launched its second production mode, the IM LS7, planning to start its sales in the second half of 2023 limited only to domestic market.[7] Meanwhile, the 18% stake held by the administrative authorities of Shanghai's Pudong New District was sold to the private company Zhangjiang Hi-Tech.

In August 2023, the company introduced its third model in the form of the LS6, an "SUV Coupe" variation of the flagship LS7, positioned below it under the name LS6.[8]

In July 2023, the German Audi announced that it is establishing strategic cooperation with the Chinese company SAIC Motor in order to borrow its platform used to build large electric cars. Audi thus expressed its desire to use this technology to build its own electric model specifically for the Chinese market in order to increase its competitiveness against companies such as Nio.[9]

In February 2024, IM Motors participated in the Geneva Motor Show and launched its fourth model, Zhiji L6, for the first time in the world. On April 8, 2024, Zhiji L6 was officially released and pre-sale started.[10] The car will be officially launched on May 13, with a price range of RMB 219,900 to 345,900. A discount of RMB 22,000 will be offered for purchase within the first month after launch.[11] The flagship version of the car (Max Lightyear Edition) uses a quasi-900V ultra-high performance platform and ultra-fast charging semi-solid-state batteries, with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers.[12]

On March 1, 2024, IM Motors announced that it had received over RMB 8 billion in Series B equity financing, led by Bank of China Asset Management, a subsidiary of Bank of China, with participation from ABC Investment, Lingang Group, CATL, Momenta, Qingtao Energy and other companies.[13]

Models

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See also: List of SAIC vehicles

Current models

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Concept vehicles

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IM Motors has revealed the following concept cars:

Sales

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Calendar year Total sales
2022 5,000[14]
2023 38,253[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "SAIC & Alibaba set up Zhiji Auto for electric car label IM". Electrive. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "A New EV Brand is Born – China's IM Motors is Officially Launched; Backed by Alibaba". Auto Futures. 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  3. ^ "SAIC's premium EV brand Zhiji Motor to show three models at Auto China 2021". Gasgoo. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  4. ^ Smith, Sam D. (12 April 2021). "Zhiji L7 Is An Electric Sports Sedan From China With Wireless Charging, 620-Mile Range". Carscoops. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  5. ^ Smith, Sam D. (21 April 2021). "Giant Air Purifier On Wheels Sets Out To Make A Real Difference: Say Hello To The IM Airo". Carscoops. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  6. ^ "IM Motors is launching 3+1+1 Plan at Auto Shanghai 2021". PR Newswire. 24 April 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  7. ^ "The IM LS7 Is An Electric Chinese SUV That Looks Like An Aston Martin DBX". 16 December 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  8. ^ "MG Australia wants 579kW IM LS6 electric SUV". Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  9. ^ "Audi in talks to buy premium EV platform from China's SAIC, report says". Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  10. ^ "智己L6预售价公布：23万元至33万元|界面新闻 · 快讯" [IM L6 pre-sale price announced: 230,000 to 330,000 yuan | Jiemian News · News]. 2024-04-11. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  11. ^ "最前线 智己L6正式发布，上市权益价19.99万元". 36氪. 2024-05-14. Archived from the original on 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  12. ^ "智己联席CEO谈智己L6"王炸"：超快充固态电池，超1000公里续航+准900V超快充". 21综合. 2024-03-25. Archived from the original on 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  13. ^ "Momenta news". Gasgoo. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  14. ^ "2022年整车销售数据". SAIC Motor. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  15. ^ "2023年整车销售数据". SAIC Motor. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
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