DeepSeek to enter electric vehicle market with Chinese auto giant
File photo shows a close-up of a person interacting with a screen displaying the logo of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek and its slogan, "Into the unknown." (Adobe Stock Photo)
China’s automotive giant Geely, which also owns the prominent vehicle brand Volvo, announced the integration of its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) model into DeepSeek’s R1.
According to the reports, Geely will advance its Xingrui car control system through a distillation training process with DeepSeekR1 on the FunctionCall AI model, which controls the vehicle. This method focuses on enhancing a smaller AI model by drawing on insights and outputs from a more sophisticated system, ultimately boosting its precision and efficiency.
Geely introduced the Xingrui AI model on Jan. 11, branding it as the industry’s first fully self-developed, full-stack AI system tailored for diverse automotive scenarios.
As one of China’s largest car manufacturers and the owner of Volvo, Geely has become the first automaker to partner with DeepSeek, a rapidly emerging AI technology firm that gained global attention with the stormy debut of its R1 model in January.
This shift is expected to revolutionize human-computer interaction in smart cars and significantly enhance safety features, particularly in accident prediction and prevention.
‘Integration of electricity and intelligence’
The topic was also discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where experts highlighted China’s transition from traditional electric vehicles (EVs) to smart electric vehicles under the “EV form EIV (electric intelligence vehicle)” business model.
Speaking at Davos, Pan Jian, co-chairman of Chinese CATL—one of the world’s largest EV battery manufacturers—emphasized AI’s role in the rapid growth of China’s EV market.
“This rapid expansion is driven by the seamless integration of electricity and intelligence,” Pan stated. “Electric vehicles, powered by advanced energy and chip technology, enable AI applications that gasoline-powered cars simply cannot offer. Consumers appreciate these innovative features, which go beyond the capabilities of traditional vehicles.”
China continues to merge its advanced technologies with its domestic EV sector. While Tesla and other global EV manufacturers compete for market dominance, Chinese automakers stand out by leveraging their proprietary software protocols, which allow for maximum efficiency.
Meanwhile, the integration of AI and cloud computing in new energy vehicles has become a key trend in China’s automotive industry. These technologies not only aimed to enhance vehicle performance but also provide a more personalized driving experience, further strengthening the competitive edge of Chinese automakers.
