Baidu-Geely EV venture names Xia Yiping as chief technology officer

Baidu Inc and Geely Holding hired Mobike co-founder and former chief technology officer Xia Yiping as chief executive of their new electric vehicle venture.

Baidu last month had said it would set up a company with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to leverage its intelligent driving capabilities and Geely’s automaking expertise.

“Xia has extensive management experience in the field of smart cars and mobility services,” Baidu said. “We welcome Xia Yiping to join Baidu’s auto company and look forward to his contribution to Baidu and the automobile industry.”

It was reported last week that Baidu has appointed a CEO and brand for its electric car company with Geely.

Xia served as Mobike’s chief technology officer until the company was bought by food delivery giant Meituan in 2018. Before joining Mobike, he worked at Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler.