Ecarx Emerges as Key Contender in Electric Vehicle Market, Targets Global Expansion

Ecarx, founded by Geely’s chairman Eric Li in 2017, is emerging as a significant player in the electric car industry, specializing in software and chip systems for digital car cockpits and driver-assist technologies.

Recently, the company reported a 22% year-on-year increase in fourth-quarter revenue, reaching $263 million, with Geely’s brands like Lynk and Co contributing 70%.

In comparison, Nvidia, a major automotive tech player, saw a 4% decline in its automotive revenue for the same quarter, totaling $281 million.

Nvidia supplies its AI-driven Drive Orin chip to automakers including Geely’s Zeekr, Li Auto, BYD’s Denza, and Xiaomi. Ecarx CEO Ziyu Shen acknowledged Nvidia’s lead in AI-based systems but noted that simpler driver-assist technologies focused on safety still have a significant market share.

Ecarx’s Antora 1000 chip is used by Lynk and Co, with new products expected to compete with Nvidia’s Orin X.

Ecarx aims to leverage geopolitical dynamics by targeting local Chinese companies, benefiting from domestic procurement preferences.

The company also plans to expand its international presence, aiming to increase overseas sales from 10% to 25% next year and to at least 40% in the next four to five years.

Shen believes that to become a major player, Ecarx must serve the world’s top five automakers, given that no Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) currently rank among them.

While Huawei has made strides in the domestic market with its car tech, it faces challenges in going global due to sanctions, which Ecarx sees as a potential advantage. Ecarx operates offices in the U.S., Europe, and China, emphasizing compliance with local regulations and intellectual property protection.