Is Mercedes-Benz planning a new EV platform based on Geely technology?
Initially, the typically well-informed portal 36Kr, which is active in the Asian automotive and battery industries, reported that Mercedes-Benz is planning a new electric vehicle platform based on Geely architecture. Specifically, the new global platform from Mercedes is said to be called ‘Phoenix’ and is being developed for compact electric cars. According to the report, the platform is not a Mercedes development but is instead based on Geely’s GEEA-4.0 platform—GEEA stands for Geely Electronic & Electrical Architecture.Mercedes engineers are reportedly conducting a feasibility study, or creating a ‘proof of concept.’ According to the report, an increased number of executives from the German automaker have been observed at Geely’s Hangzhou Bay development centre since January. Additionally, a Geely management team is said to have travelled to Shanghai in February for further negotiations with Mercedes.The collaboration surrounding the Phoenix platform is reportedly the first project for Mercedes-Benz China as part of a reorganisation. The company’s research and development centre in China is set to become the ‘global headquarters for compact vehicle development’ and will independently oversee the design and development of new compact models. In other words, Mercedes would, for the first time, develop a new vehicle platform outside Germany.However, Mercedes has denied the information from 36Kr. The described collaboration is ‘fabricated and untrue,’ according to CnEVPost, which cited a statement from Mercedes-Benz. This casts doubt on the claim that the Phoenix platform will enter mass production by 2030, as initially reported.Under CEO Ola Källenius, Mercedes-Benz has completely overhauled its “Entry” segment. Using the ‘Mercedes Modular Architecture’ (MMA), the company has already introduced the new CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, and the new GLB—all of which are currently battery-electric, with petrol engines featuring 48-volt hybrids to follow later. A successor to the GLA is also planned based on the MMA. Initially, these four ‘Entry’ models were to be the sole offerings, with the A-Class and B-Class being phased out. However, Mercedes has since confirmed a successor to the A-Class, meaning there will once again be five compact models from Mercedes.The MMA platform debuted only recently with the new CLA and is therefore entirely new to the market. From the company’s existing logic, it would seem illogical to replace such a new platform with another development as early as 2030. However, 36Kr cited lower costs as the primary reason for the alleged technical collaboration. Internal sources suggested that ‘Geely’s vehicle architecture offers significant advantages in cost control.’weixin.qq.com (Original report in Chinese), cnevpost.com (Denial)
