- Automaker Geely and home appliance giant Gree will cooperate on EV thermal systems, silicon carbide modules and smart manufacturing
- The deal deepens China’s growing auto-electronics convergence, spanning in-car connectivity, factory automation and next-gen vehicle platforms
Geely Holding Group and Gree Electric Appliances (格力电器) signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Ningbo’s Hangzhou Bay on July 3, with Gree chairperson Dong Mingzhu (董明珠) leading a senior delegation to visit Geely’s global safety center, accompanied by Geely chairman Li Shufu (李书福).
Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate across vehicle smart hardware, core components for new energy vehicles and intelligent manufacturing.
Geely brands including Zeekr and Lynk & Co will adopt jointly developed heat pump systems from Gree, while Geely’s 800V high-voltage platform will begin using Gree silicon carbide (SiC) power modules from 2027.
Gree will also supply high-precision CNC machines and industrial robots for Geely’s manufacturing facilities, strengthening cooperation in automotive production systems and factory automation.
Ecosystem connectivity
In addition, the partnership will explore smart home integration scenarios, allowing in-car systems to directly control Gree’s connected home appliances, further extending ecosystem connectivity between mobility and household environments.
During the visit, Dong and her delegation toured Geely’s Global Safety Center, which opened in December 2025 with total investment exceeding 2 billion yuan.
Covering 45,000 square meters, it is described as the world’s largest integrated automotive safety testing facility and is open to the wider industry.
Reciprocal visits
At the center, Dong observed crash safety tests and emphasized that innovation must always prioritize safety, while Li Shufu stressed that vehicle safety requires validation not only in simulation environments but also under real-world conditions across seasons, regions and road scenarios.
The agreement follows a series of earlier interactions between the two sides. Dong Mingzhu became a Zeekr 009 owner in March, while Li Shufu visited Gree headquarters in May and invited Dong to serve as a “Zeekr quality experience officer.”
After the signing ceremony, both executives jointly presented awards to Geely employees, highlighting the partnership as a milestone in collaboration between two major Chinese manufacturing groups.
Deepening cross-sector convergence
Industry observers note that cross-sector cooperation between automotive and consumer electronics companies has become an emerging trend in China’s manufacturing landscape, driven by overlapping technology requirements in semiconductors, thermal management and precision engineering.
Companies such as Midea, Skyworth, Changhong and BOE have already entered automotive supply chains through joint labs and strategic partnerships, reflecting the increasing convergence between mobility and electronics ecosystems.
