The developers of the Geely Key User Interface (GKUI), ECARX, will set up a joint venture company with Volvo Cars.
With some of Volvo Cars’ latest facelift models, a big emphasis has been placed on the Google-co-developed infotainment systems. Volvo Cars and Polestar were the first to introduce systems based on Android Automotive OS, which integrated Google apps and services. However, now it looks like Volvo Cars have other plans for the future.
Technology company ECARX (which was founded by Geely Group) will be setting up a joint venture with Volvo Cars to develop and market a new cutting edge infotainment system. This new platform will be made available to Geely’s brands (including Proton) and will be sold externally as well through ECARX.
ECARX is currently behind GKUI (Geely Key User Interface), which is found in modern Proton cars. ECARX has previously also partnered up with Baidu and Tencent.
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Volvo Cars and technology company ECARX are planning to set up a new joint venture for the development and commercialisation of a cutting-edge infotainment system platform.
The planned joint venture would allow both companies and the wider Geely Group to speed up technology development, improve cost efficiency and create new revenue streams.
Volvo Cars has worked with Google on the development of the Android Automotive operating system since 2017. In 2020, Volvo Cars and Polestar were the first car makers to introduce infotainment systems based on the Android Automotive operating system with Google apps and services built-in.
Through the new joint venture, Volvo Cars and ECARX will continue and expand the development of Volvo Cars’ infotainment system platform. The joint venture will make the platform available to all Geely Group and affiliate brands, while also providing the platform to third parties through ECARX.
“The infotainment system in Volvo’s latest cars is one of the best on the market, rivaling mobile phones in user experience,” says Henrik Green, chief technology officer at Volvo Cars. “Through this joint venture, we can speed up development of the system, bring high quality infotainment to more cars and maximise incentives for companies and developers to create great services and apps for the users of the platform.”
ECARX is a new, stand-alone and fast-growing technology company that has a global footprint since its expansion to Europe in December 2020. It has extensive experience in developing and integrating high-quality Android-based infotainment systems for brands such as Geely Auto, Lynk & Co and Proton.
Volvo Cars initially plans to integrate the platform developed in the joint venture into Volvo Cars and Polestar cars, with their own unique user interfaces.
ECARX will be the exclusive commercialisation partner for the integration of the platform into other vehicles worldwide and in combination with its existing ECARX automotive services offering in the China market. Volvo Cars and ECARX are also investigating the use of ECARX automotive services in the China market and hardware from ECARX.
When established, the joint venture will be led by Jan-Erik Larsson, currently the head of R&D in China for Volvo Cars. Following final negotiations, and subject to finalisation and execution of relevant agreements between the parties, the company is set to become operational in the third quarter of 2021.
