Updates allow Jiyue drivers to enjoy newest cars, says CEO

Jiyue Auto, a joint venture between Geely and Baidu, launched an over-the-air upgrade for its model, the Jiyue 01, on Monday.

It represents the third OTA update within 90 days and the fifth since the launch of the Jiyue 01 in October, aiming to let drivers use the newest cars every month.

The Version 1.4.0 update includes upgrades involving more than 200 features, addressing feedback from more than 5,300 users, said the company.

Baidu's latest AI technologies in autonomous driving, mapping and human-machine interaction were unveiled on Monday and have been integrated into Jiyue Auto's vehicles.

CEO Xia Yiping said: "Creating a significant gap in electrification technologies is nearly impossible now, whether in batteries, charging infrastructure or motors. The key to market success lies in advanced driving capabilities and the quality of the intelligent driving experience."

Empowered by Geely's SEA architecture and Baidu's AI capabilities ecosystem, Jiyue boasts top-tier mechanical prowess and industry-leading levels of intelligence.

Currently, nearly 90 percent of users are using Jiyue's Point-to-Point Autopilot, or PPA, intelligent driving system, with accumulated mileage exceeding 1.8 million kilometers.

Baidu's Apollo released its Vision Takes All, or VTA, autonomous driving visual model, which upgrades capabilities like dynamic detection, temporal tracking, real-time mapping and scene understanding.

The Jiyue model also integrates core capabilities from Baidu Maps. Wherever Baidu Maps navigation extends, the Jiyue's PPA intelligent driving can be used, it said.

However, sales of the Jiyue 01 are not meeting expectations, with only hundreds sold monthly.

Xia said that the company has reflected on the issue of low sales, acknowledging that Jiyue didn't effectively target potential customers in the early stages.

"As our brand awareness continues to grow, it's essential to bring more customers into vehicles and showcase our product's advantages," he said.

From January, Jiyue has ramped up its livestreaming efforts, with the CEO participating, aimed at bolstering the promotion of its technological advancements and attracting customers interested in intelligent vehicle solutions.

"Our entire sales team is undergoing a transformation and we are witnessing overall positive trends in sales," Xia said.