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Livan Automotive

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Livan Automotive
FormerlyShanghai Maple Automobile (2000-2010)
Maple (2019-2022)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutomotive
Founded2000 (Fengjing) as Shanghai Maple Guorun Automobile Co., Ltd.
上海華普汽車 (first incarnation)
2020 (second incarnation)
DefunctDefunct during 2010-2020
HeadquartersFengjing,
Shanghai
,
China
ProductsAutomobiles
ParentZhejiang Geely Holding Group
SubsidiariesShanghai LTI Automobile Components Co., Ltd.
Websitelivanauto.com
Maple's headquarters in Fengjing, Shanghai

Livan Automotive, a joint venture between Geely and Lifan Group, is brand specially targeted at battery-swapping electric vehicle. The joint venture manufactures electric vehicles using Geely's existing platforms under Livan and Maple brands.

In 2022, after Lifan Group was acquired by Geely Holding Group, [1] Geely reconsolidated and merge its previous subsidiary, Maple (Maple Automobile Co., Ltd.) brand, into the Livan brand, thus making Maple quit the market as independent brand and become a model name under the Livan brand.[2][3][4]

History

Originally Shanghai Maple (SMA, Shanghai Maple Automobiles), the brand was established in 2000, producing Huapu (Maple) branded vehicles.[5] The vehicles are listed under the Langfeng (朗风) brand while being sold as Huapu (华普) products. Geely acquired a strategic holding in Shanghai Maple in 2002, and in 2008, Shanghai Maple was fully consolidated into Geely as their budget brand before phasing it out in 2010.[6]

The first Shanghai Maple vehicle was produced in the summer of 2003, based on the 1990s-era Citroen ZX.[7]

The Maple Marindo was displayed at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.[8]

The export of Shanghai Maple vehicles to Egypt began in 2007, where they were marketed as the C51 (saloon) and C52 (saloon with Audi style grille).[9] A sportier R80 hatchback[10] and R81 saloon were exported to markets including Russia and Chile. In 2010, Geely partially phased out the Shanghai Maple marque, replacing it with the Englon budget brand.[11]

In February 2013, Shanghai Maple and Kandi Technologies announced that they had agreed to establish a 50:50 joint venture, Zhejiang Kandi Electric Vehicles Investment, with an initial registered capital of 1 billion yuan (US$160 million), focused on the research and development, production, marketing, and sale of electric vehicles in the Chinese mainland.[12] The joint venture agreement was signed on 22 March 2013.[13]

File:Shanghai Maple Automobile Logo and Maple Automobile Logo.jpeg
Left: Shanghai Maple Automobile Logo (2000-2010) Right: Maple Automobile Logo (2019-2022)

As of 2020, the Maple brand was revived as a result of a partnership between Geely and Kandi Technologies. Geely holds 78 percent of Fengsheng Automotive Technology Group while the remaining 22 percent is owned by Zhejiang Kandi Vehicle or Kandi Technologies. The business purpose is officially stated as research, development, and sales of electric vehicles and vehicle parts, vehicle leasing services, and relevant after-sales services. The revived Maple brand will make a series of affordable electric cars based on existing Geely petrol cars. The first Maple product is the Maple 30X, based on the Geely Vision X3. According to the Maple product launch plan, a mid-size SUV, a mini hatchback, and an ultra-mini hatchback are planned for 2021. The Chinese manufacturer also announced that an electric pickup and an electric roadster is in the pipeline.[14]

In March 2021, Kandi Technologies exited its stake, transferring its 22% equity interest in Fengsheng to Geely.[15]

In 2022, Geely launched the joint venture between Lifan and Maple called Livan (Ruilan, 睿蓝). Geely announced the launch of the Maple Leaf 60S, Geely’s first battery swap car under the Livan brand, produced in association with Lifan and based on the Geely Emgrand GL.[16][17][18][19]

During the Livan brand launched later in June 2022, a brand new model, the Livan 7 electric fastback crossover was teased,[20] while a few days later at the 2022 Chongqing Auto Show, the Livan 9 electric mid-size crossover SUV was shown for the first time being developed based on the Geely Haoyue.[21]

Current models

  • Livan Maple 30X
    Livan Maple 30X
  • Livan Maple 60S
    Livan Maple 60S
  • Livan Maple 80V
    Livan Maple 80V
  • Livan 7
    Livan 7
  • Livan 9
    Livan 9
  • Livan X3 Pro
    Livan X3 Pro

Discontiuned models

  • Maple Whirlwind
    Maple Whirlwind
  • Maple Marindo hatch
    Maple Marindo hatch
  • Maple Marindo sedan
    Maple Marindo sedan
  • Maple Hisoon hatch
    Maple Hisoon hatch
  • Maple Hisoon sedan
    Maple Hisoon sedan
  • Maple Hysoul
    Maple Hysoul
  • Maple Haifeng
    Maple Haifeng

References

  1. ^ "Chuan Geely's acquisition of Lifan plus Southwest Market may be the main reason._SMM | Shanghai Non ferrous Metals". news.metal.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  2. ^ ""枫叶"汽车或退出市场". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  3. ^ "睿蓝汽车官方网站-换电轻出行普及者". www.livanauto.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  4. ^ 网易 (2022-01-24). "独家"枫叶"汽车或退出市场 吉利、力帆合资公司将推新品牌、新车定位5-8万元". www.163.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  5. ^ "Shanghai Maple Automobile Co. Ltd". Investing.businessweek.com. Retrieved 16 February 2022.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "Automotive World". Automotiveworld.com. 3 July 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  7. ^ "9968,com-【用心服务】-9499,com_9499,com". Chinacartimes.com. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Tests - Erlkönige - Autokauf - Formel 1". Auto-motor-und-sport.de. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  9. ^ "SMG Engineering Automotive Company". Smgeac.com. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  10. ^ "浙江吉利汽车有限公司". Geely.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Englon brand to get major boost in 2011". ChinaCarTimes.com. 2010-10-29.
  12. ^ "Geely subsidiary signs joint EV venture deal". The China Post. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  13. ^ "Kandi Technologies Corp's Zhejiang Kandi Vehicles Co Ltd Enters Into Joint Venture Agreement With Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd's Guorun Automobile Co Ltd". Reuters. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  14. ^ "Maple 30x is a new low-cost EV from China". Electrive.com. 20 April 2020.
  15. ^ https://cn.m.netdania.com/news/Kandi%20Technologies%20Exits%20Geely%20Affiliation/Nasdaq%20GlobeNewswire/GlobeNewsWireAmerican%2524en%2523US4837091010/nasdaq/8189836%40Pressreleases%7B%22Syms%22%3A[%7B%22isin%22%3A%22US4837091010%22%7D]%7D/1615812300 [bare URL]
  16. ^ "Maple Leaf 60S To Launch in February - With Battery Swap in 60 seconds". CarNewsChina.com. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  17. ^ Borrás, Jo (22 January 2022). "Geely-backed Maple Leaf 60S leaked ahead of Feb. debut, with 60 sec. battery swap". Electrek.co. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  18. ^ "Maple Leaf 60S EV-1". Paultan.org. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  19. ^ "Maple Leaf 60S EV-2". Paultan.org. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  20. ^ "睿蓝7概念车首发亮相".
  21. ^ "2022重庆车展探馆：睿蓝9实车将亮相".
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