Gasgoo Daily presents a selection of the latest developments from China's automotive industry. Here are the key stories in this edition.
Geely Launches Next-Generation Methanol Hybrid Technology
The Geely Xingyao 6 EF debuts with methanol, gasoline and electric power capability.
- On November 3, Geely Auto Group unveiled its latest methanol hybrid technology, designed to support methanol, gasoline and electricity.
- Geely has invested more than RMB 10 billion in methanol technology since beginning R&D in 2005, accumulating over 400 patents and contributing to more than 20 related national and industry standards.
- The new system supports cold starts at temperatures approaching minus 40°C. It also allows methanol and gasoline to be mixed in any proportion within the same fuel tank and added through one filling port.
- Geely upgraded methanol-resistant materials and manufacturing processes and introduced Xingrui AI Cloud Power 2.0 to manage power allocation, thermal conditions and powertrain health.
- The Geely Xingyao 6 EF launched in three variants, with prices starting at RMB 76,800.
RoboSense Commissions Fully Automated Digital LiDAR Production Line
The Shenzhen line has a 99% automation rate and annual capacity of 500,000 units.
- On November 4, RoboSense announced the commissioning of what it describes as the world's first fully automated digital LiDAR production line.
- Located at the Honghualing Base of Shenzhen Nanshan Intelligent Manufacturing Park, the line covers precision assembly, dispensing, active optical alignment, calibration, testing and packaging.
- More than 100 high-precision automated machines perform over 70 processes. Only six operators are required for final assembly, while annual capacity reaches 500,000 units per line.
- The line provides 100% traceability of production data and 98% automated inspection coverage.
- Each LiDAR unit undergoes burn-in, calibration and complete-system performance testing against more than 3,640 inspection criteria covering optical, electrical, mechanical, acoustic and functional-safety performance.
ARIDGE Completes China's First Full-Domain eVTOL Validation Center
Three testing bases provide end-to-end validation from software simulation to complete-aircraft testing.
- ARIDGE, formerly XPENG AEROHT, announced the completion of China's first full-domain eVTOL validation center.
- The center spans three testing bases in Guangzhou's Tianhe and Huangpu districts and Sanshui district in Foshan.
- Covering more than 75,000 square meters, the facilities include over 50 laboratories supporting more than 3,000 test projects.
- The Tianhe base focuses mainly on simulations for flight control, navigation and propulsion systems. The Huangpu and Sanshui bases conduct physical testing of batteries, motors, rotors and complete aircraft.
- ARIDGE has also developed a complete-aircraft iron-bird test bench and a truck-mounted aircraft testing platform. The latter increases durability-testing efficiency for the electric propulsion system by more than eight times.
