HANGZHOU: China's Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd has unveiled an AI-powered, hybrid petrol-electric vehicle platform to compete against Japanese automakers in an auto sector pioneered by Toyota Motor Corp.
Geely's new i-HEV system consumed just 2.22 litres of fuel per 100km of driving during a test of an upcoming Emgrand sedan around Hainan island in southern China, the company said.
"It will comprehensively surpass the hybrid technology from the Japanese," Geely Group spokesman Victor Yang said at an industry event.
Toyota's Prius hybrid model showcased a 2.53 litres per 100km drive in 2024 from Los Angeles to New York.
Under a testing protocol more rigorous than China's test cycle, the car gets up to 32.6 km per litre, depending on the model.
Geely said the fuel efficiency rating for its i-HEV-equipped Emgrand isn't available yet.
Hybrids have been gaining in popularity among buyers - particularly in the US - looking to cut their fuel emissions and running costs without committing to a fully electric vehicle, which is often more expensive due to its bigger battery.
Toyota sold 4.4 million hybrids last year, accounting for more than one-third of its total sales.
The i-HEV technology combines intelligent driving functions, the cockpit and the chassis into a "single centralised brain," and uses AI to optimise energy management, Geely said in the statement.
It offers an EV-like driving experience without the need to charge the electric batteries, the company said.
It will go into mass production immediately and be available on popular models including the Boyue L and Xingyue L sport utility vehicles, and the fifth generation Emgrand.
Geely overtook Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co in total vehicle sales last year and has set a target to become one of the world's top five carmakers by the end of the decade.
The company is one of China's largest carmakers, with some of the country's best-selling EV models.
It remains committed to a multi-power train approach in contrast to biggest rival BYD Co, which stopped producing conventional petrol vehicles in 2022 in favor of battery electric and hybrid vehicles.
Geely continues to develop internal combustion engine models, hybrid and fuel cell technologies.
