Livan Automotive
{{Short description|Chinese automotive brand}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Livan Automotive
| logo = Livan Automotive logo.svg
| former_name = Shanghai Maple Automobile (2000–2010)
Maple (2019–2022)
| type = Subsidiary
| foundation = 2000 (Fengjing) as Shanghai Maple Guorun Automobile Co., Ltd.
上海華普汽車 (first incarnation)
2020 (second incarnation)
| defunct = Defunct during 2010–2020
| hq_location = Fengjing
| location_city = Shanghai
| location_country = China
| area_served = {{ubl
| China
| Russia
| Middle East
| Spain
}}
| key_people =
| industry = Automotive
| products = Automobiles
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| owner = {{ubl
| Lifan Technology (55%)
| Geely Qizheng (45%)
}}
| num_employees =
| parent = Zhejiang Geely Holding
| subsid = Shanghai LTI Automobile Components Co., Ltd.
| homepage = [https://www.livanauto.com/website/home.html livanauto.com]
| footnotes =
}}
Livan Automotive ({{zh|s=睿蓝汽车|p=Ruìlán Qìchē}}) is a joint venture company between Lifan Group and Geely Qizheng, a company owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding (ZGH). The brand was founded in 2022 following a merger between Geely-owned Maple and Lifan Technology.
In China, Livan targeted the battery-swapping electric vehicle market. The joint venture manufactures electric vehicles using Geely's existing platforms under Livan and Maple brands. In export markets such as Russia, Livan became Geely's budget brand selling internal combustion vehicles.
On January 24, 2022, after Lifan Group was acquired by ZGH,{{Cite web |title=Chuan Geely's acquisition of Lifan plus Southwest Market may be the main reason | work = SMM: Shanghai Metals Market | publisher = SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. | url=https://news.metal.com/newscontent/101239307/chuan-geelys-acquisition-of-lifan-plus-southwest-market-may-be-the-main-reason |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230517001811/https://news.metal.com/newscontent/101239307/chuan-geelys-acquisition-of-lifan-plus-southwest-market-may-be-the-main-reason | archive-date=2023-05-17 | date = 2020-08-13 | first = Michael | last = Jiang }} Geely reconsolidated and merged its previous subsidiary Maple Automobile Co., Ltd. into the Livan brand. This move resulted in Maple exiting the market as an independent brand and becoming a model name under the Livan brand.{{Cite web |title="枫叶"汽车或退出市场 |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/www.sohu.com/a/518,871,178_467757 |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=www.sohu.com }}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web |title=睿蓝汽车官方网站-换电轻出行普及者 |url=https://www.livanauto.com/website/energy/power.html |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=www.livanauto.com}}{{Cite web |last=网易 |date=2022-01-24 |title=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 |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/GUGBOAC405198CJN.html |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=www.163.com}}
History
Originally Shanghai Maple (SMA, Shanghai Maple Automobiles), the brand was established in 2000, producing Huapu (Maple) branded vehicles.{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=11868676 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714192850/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=11868676 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |title=Shanghai Maple Automobile Co. Ltd.|website=Investing.businessweek.com|access-date=16 February 2022}} The first Shanghai Maple vehicle was produced in the summer of 2003, based on the 1990s-era Citroën ZX.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinacartimes.com/2008/09/25/shanghai-maple-nearly-makes-good-looking-car/|title=9968,com-【用心服务】-9499,com_9499,com|website=Chinacartimes.com|access-date=16 February 2022}} 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 it was phased out in 2010 in favor of the Englon budget brand.{{cite web | url = http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/11/29/englon-brand-to-get-major-boost-in-2011/ | title = Englon brand to get major boost in 2011 | website= ChinaCarTimes.com | author = | date = 2010-10-29 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.automotiveworld.com/news/emerging-markets/69286-china-industry-consolidation-picks-up-speed-as-geely-takes-over-shanghai-maple|title=Automotive World|website=Automotiveworld.com|date=3 July 2008|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-date=13 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513204833/http://www.automotiveworld.com/news/emerging-markets/69286-china-industry-consolidation-picks-up-speed-as-geely-takes-over-shanghai-maple|url-status=dead}}
In March 2013, Geely and Kandi Technologies established a 50:50 joint venture, Zhejiang Kandi Electric Vehicles Investment, focused on the research and development, production, marketing, and sale of electric vehicles in the Chinese mainland.{{cite news|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/global-markets/2013/02/06/369773/Geely-subsidiary.htm|title=Geely subsidiary signs joint EV venture deal|access-date=17 February 2013|newspaper=The China Post|date=6 February 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/KNDI.O/key-developments/article/2720181|title=Kandi Technologies Corp's Zhejiang Kandi Vehicles Co Ltd Enters Into Joint Venture Agreement With Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd's Guorun Automobile Co Ltd|access-date=1 April 2013|publisher=Reuters|date=25 March 2013}} As a result of this partnership, the Maple brand was revived in 2020. The revived Maple brand began producing a series of affordable electric cars based on existing Geely petrol cars, beginning with the Maple 30X, based on the Geely Vision X3.{{cite web|url=https://www.electrive.com/2020/04/20/maple-30x-is-a-new-low-cost-ev-from-china/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221206142744/https://www.electrive.com/2020/04/20/maple-30x-is-a-new-low-cost-ev-from-china/ | archive-date = 2022-12-06 | title=Maple 30x is a new low-cost EV from China|website=Electrive.com| first = Chris | last = Randall | date=20 April 2020}}
In March 2021, Kandi Technologies exited its stake, transferring its 22 percent equity interest to Geely.{{cite press release | url = https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/kandi-technologies-exits-geely-affiliation-2021-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230704014922/https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/kandi-technologies-exits-geely-affiliation-2021-03-15 | archive-date = 2023-07-04 | title = Kandi Technologies Exits Geely Affiliation | publisher = Nasdaq, Inc. | date = 2021-03-15 }} In 2022, Geely launched a 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.{{Cite web|url=https://carnewschina.com/2022/01/21/maple-leaf-60s-will-be-launched-in-february-with-a-electric-exchange-mode/|title=Maple Leaf 60S To Launch in February - With Battery Swap in 60 seconds|date=21 January 2022|website=CarNewsChina.com|access-date=16 February 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://electrek.co/2022/01/22/geely-backed-maple-leaf-60s-leaked-ahead-of-feb-debut-with-60-sec-battery-swap/|title=Geely-backed Maple Leaf 60S leaked ahead of Feb. debut, with 60 sec. battery swap|first=Jo|last=Borrás|website=Electrek.co|date=22 January 2022|access-date=16 February 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://paultan.org/2022/01/24/maple-leaf-60s-electric-sedan-to-debut-in-february-136-hp-230-nm-60-second-battery-swap-415-km-range/ | first = Mick | last = Chan | title=Maple Leaf 60S electric sedan to debut in February – 136 hp/230 Nm, 60-second battery swap, 415 km range | date= 2022-01-24 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230220103422/https://paultan.org/2022/01/24/maple-leaf-60s-electric-sedan-to-debut-in-february-136-hp-230-nm-60-second-battery-swap-415-km-range/ | archive-date = 2023-02-20 }} In early 2022 the Maple brand was folded into the new Livan brand, becoming a model name used on legacy designs.
During the Livan brand launch later in June 2022, a brand new model, the Livan 7 electric fastback crossover was teased,{{Cite web|url=https://www.autohome.com.cn/fastmessage/detail/1251610.html#pvareaid=6849221|title=睿蓝7概念车首发亮相}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autohome.com.cn/news/202206/1251983.html#pvareaid=102624|title=2022重庆车展探馆：睿蓝9实车将亮相}}
Livan entered the Russian market in mid-2023. Instead of being an electric vehicle brand, Livan in Russia became Geely's budget brand, selling older Geely models with modified styling.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=Livan в России: цена объявлена, но дилеры не готовы |trans-title=Livan in Russia: Price announced, but dealers not ready |url=https://autoreview.ru/news/livan-v-rossii-cena-ob-yavlena-no-dilery-ne-gotovy |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=autoreview.ru |language=Russian}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-15 |title=Кросс-хэтчбек Livan X3 Pro: старт продаж в России |url=https://autoreview.ru/news/kross-hetchbek-livan-x3-pro-start-prodazh-v-rossii |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=autoreview.ru |language=Russian}} Livan also entered several markets in 2025 with petrol-powered models, such as Spain and United Arab Emirates.{{Cite web |last=Martín |first=Pedro |date=2025-03-31 |title=Livan, otra de las marcas del gigante chino Geely, amplía su gama en España con el X6 Pro |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/motor/novedades/2025-03-31/livan-x6-pro-suv-motor-tgdi-gasolina-marca-china-geely-x3_4097970/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}}
In February 2024, Geely Automobile Holdings sold its 45% stake in Livan Automotive to Geely Qizheng, another company under Zhejiang Geely Holding. Currently, Geely Qizheng and Lifan Technology hold 45% and 55% of Livan respectively, both are holding subsidiaries of Geely Group and still retained within the Geely Group.{{Cite web |last=Monika |date=2024-02-21 |title=Geely Automobile to transfer equity in Livan Automotive |url=https://autonews.gasgoo.com/m/70031445.html |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=autonews.gasgoo.com}}{{Cite web |title=吉利汽车，大动作 |url=https://www.stcn.com/article/detail/1124315.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=www.stcn.com}}
In October 2024, Livan entered a partnership with Aletra Mobil Nusantara, an Indonesian company, to develop and market right-hand drive electric vehicles in Indonesia under the Aletra brand. Aletra introduced its first vehicle, the Aletra L8 (a rebadged Livan 8) in November 2024.{{Cite web |title=LIVAN Auto and ALETRA Announce Comprehensive Strategic Partnership |url=https://en.livanauto.com/website/informationDetails.html?essayId=WZ252321999093792 |website=Livan Auto}}
In March 2025, the major shareholder Lifan Technology was renamed to Chongqing Qianli Technology.{{Cite web |last=汽车行业关注 |date=2025-01-28 |title=力帆科技拟更名千里科技！ |url=https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/relnews/cn/2025-01-28/doc-inehptzu9884216.shtml |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=finance.sina.com.cn}}
In April 2025, for the Chinese market, the Livan marque was consolidated and became a product line under Geely Auto.{{Cite web |last=IT之家 |date=2025-03-29 |title=消息称睿蓝汽车将并入吉利中国星 |url=https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/digi/2025-03-29/doc-inerhmfa6442137.shtml |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=finance.sina.com.cn}}
| class="wikitable"
|+ Timeline of Maple, Kandi and Livan !Year !Company name !Ownership !Marque marketed !Note |
| colspan="5" |Shanghai Maple (2000–2010) |
|---|
| 2000
| colspan="2" |Shanghai Maple Automobiles | rowspan="2" |Maple |The establishment of Shanghai Maple.{{Cite web |last=网易 |date=2024-05-17 |title=华普发展史（上）：李书福胞弟为啥没能做出第二个吉利？ |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/J2D5BUJS05565NGW.html |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=www.163.com}} |
| 2008
|Shanghai Maple Automobiles |Fully acquired by Geely. |
| 2010
|Shanghai Maple Automobiles |None |Maple marque was consolidated and replaced by the Englon. |
| colspan="5" |Kandi (2013–2019) |
| 2013
|Kandi Electric Vehicles |Geely (50%) Kandi (50%) |Kandi |Kandi and Shanghai Maple (Geely) established 50:50 joint venture, Kandi Electric Vehicles.{{Cite web |title=浙江康迪电动汽车有限公司正式成立 |url=http://www.caam.org.cn/chn/41/cate_308/con_5088798.html |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=www.caam.org.cn}} |
| colspan="5" |Maple (2019–2021) |
| 2019
|Fengsheng Automobile Technology |Geely (78%) Kandi (22%) | rowspan="3" |Maple |
|
| 2021
|Fengsheng Automobile Technology |
| 2021
|Livan Automotive |Geely (50%) Lifan Technology (50%) |
|
| colspan="5" |Livan (2024–present) |
| 2022
|Livan Automotive |Geely (50%) Lifan Technology (50%) |Livan | |
| 2025
|Livan Automotive |Geely (45%) Chongqin Qianli Technology (55%) |Geely Livan |
|
Product
= Current models =
- Maple 60S (2021–present), compact sedan, rebadged Geely Emgrand EV Pro
- Livan 7 (2022–present), coupe compact SUV, BEV
- Livan 9 (2022–present), mid-size SUV, rebadged BEV variant of Geely Haoyue
- Maple 80V (2020–present), compact MPV, rebadged BEV variant of Geely Jiaji
- Livan 8 (2024–present), compact MPV, rebadged BEV variant of Geely Jiaji L
File:Maple 60S IMG01.jpg|Maple 60S
File:Maple 80V 001.jpg|Maple 80V
File:2023 Livan 7 (front).jpg|Livan 7
File:Livan 8 001.jpg|Livan 8
File:Livan 9 01 China 2023-04-23.jpg|Livan 9
== Export models ==
- Livan S6 Pro (2023–present), compact sedan, rebadged Geely Emgrand L{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=The Livan S6 Pro sedan will appear in Russia in October |url=https://eng.autostat.ru/news/23723/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=eng.autostat.ru |language=en}}
- Livan X3 Pro (2023–present), subcompact SUV, rebadged Geely Yuanjing X3 Pro{{Cite web |date=2023-06-27 |title=Первый тест Livan X3 Pro: самого доступного в России нового кроссовера с двумя педалями |trans-title=First test of Livan X3 Pro: the most affordable new crossover with two pedals in Russia |url=https://auto.ru/showcaptcha?cc=1&mt=307AF0EEAB8FE5B04E73316F8C6D252135523936EFD31767DFCFDF4AB82A4501693B85CD918A55AB2AC158BCDBCD48C86F8773390680ACFA2EDE49AE2C574B387F0D8ED0A23555D291862CF85564A1DD1CEF0475DB601A29233F2FD6E692F76F9C6CCFE8C5CE68D338303102FADE7952AE2D1F77308B240427CB47AA848D8EF32F9BD172D3F40B03AA5488DB6BDC204B3CD232940A5A7FCAD1F55182D7887C2B7E46A5C7B98E96EA23699AA632B5D75F860FB85A51BE8420140A3E5BCA0844F331C4D0D05A72E4BD117A49BD235D6C2C0F0808026110C245C889407B33D1377245B541DDA60CEFDA9F2DF1&retpath=aHR0cHM6Ly9hdXRvLnJ1L21hZy9hcnRpY2xlL3BlcnZ5eS10ZXN0LWxpdmFuLXgzLXBybz8%2C_27084eec122ef45630e8bc23228b6a88&t=2/1725780801/a4273014bc8a8f43c9f5cadec2a931a1&u=c52d6b59-387bec1c-e0e6a648-61ce13c9&s=eaa781621b56beb10a8acb6a3a0f6043 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=auto.ru |language=en}}
- Livan X6 Pro (2023–present), mid-size SUV, rebadged Geely Haoyue Pro{{Cite web |date=2023-10-18 |title=В Россию приехали седан Livan S6 Pro и кроссовер Livan X6 Pro |url=https://autoreview.ru/news/v-rossiyu-priehali-sedan-livan-s6-pro-i-krossover-livan-x6-pro |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=Autoreview.ru |language=ru}}
File:Geely Vision X3 001.jpg|Livan X3 Pro
= Discontinued models =
- Maple 30X (2020–2021), subcompact SUV, BEV, rebadged Geely Yuanjing X3
File:Maple 30x on display.jpg|Maple 30X
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Livan Automotive}}
{{Zhejiang Geely Holding Group}}
{{Automotive industry in China}}
Category:Car manufacturers of China
Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2000