NEV brand Smart to drive Jinan auto industry

The Jinan Innovation Zone will welcome a new project in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, as Smart – a premium electric brand jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and Geely Holding Group – plans to produce a next-generation two-seater model in the city. The project is expected to elevate Jinan's automotive industry beyond 180 billion yuan ($25.98 billion).

Designed by Mercedes-Benz, the compact all-electric model is set to offer agile and intelligent urban mobility solutions for global markets. A concept car is expected to debut in April, with the official launch scheduled by the end of the year in China, Europe, and other selected overseas markets.

The project builds on the rapid expansion of Geely's existing NEV manufacturing base in Jinan, which has produced more than 450,000 vehicles since 2022. Supported by efficient government services and a well-established industry ecosystem, the company has decided to further expand its capacity in the city.

The Geely intelligent NEV manufacturing base operates on Industry 4.0 standards and features flexible production systems, providing strong support for the rollout of Smart's new models.