IM Motors explained

IM Motors (Zhiji Motors) is an electric vehicle joint venture between Chinese automobile manufacturer SAIC Motor and Chinese technology companies Zhangjiang Hi-Tech and Alibaba Group.

Etymology

The company's English name IM stands for "Intelligence in Motion". Its Chinese name is Zhiji Motors (智己汽车).^[1]

History

The IM Motors joint venture between SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech was established in December 2020, and a 3D rendering of the company's upcoming sedan, aiming to compete with the Tesla Model S, was presented later in January 2021.^{[2] [1]}

A dynamically developing industry in China, the so-called New Energy Vehicles are distinguished by their high-performance and high power drive systems.^[3]

In April 2021 at the Auto Shanghai auto show, IM Motors presented three vehicles; the L7 electric executive car prototype,^[4] along with two concepts, the LS7 mid-size SUV and the Airo designed by English designer Thomas Heatherwick.^{[5] [6]}

In December 2022, IM Motors officially launched its second production mode, the IM LS7, planning to start its sales in the second half of 2023 limited only to domestic market.^[7] Meanwhile, the 18% stake held by the administrative authorities of Shanghai's Pudong New District was sold to the private company Zhangjiang Hi-Tech.

In August 2023, the company introduced its third model in the form of the LS6, an "SUV Coupe" variation of the flagship LS7, positioned below it under the name LS6.^[8]

Partnership with Audi

In July 2023, the German Audi announced that it is establishing strategic cooperation with the Chinese company SAIC Motor in order to borrow its platform used to build large electric cars. Audi thus expressed its desire to use this technology to build its own electric model specifically for the Chinese market in order to increase its competitiveness against companies such as Nio.^[9]

Models

See also: List of SAIC vehicles.

Current models

• IM L7 (2022–present), full-size sedan
• IM L6 (2024–present), mid-size sedan

Concept vehicles

IM Motors has revealed the following concept cars:

• Airo (2021, Shanghai), a 4-door concept car designed by Heatherwick Studio.
• LS7 (2021, Shanghai), a mid-size SUV concept previewing an upcoming model.

Sales

Calendar year	Total sales
2022	5,000[10]
2023	38,253[11]

See also

• Automobile manufacturers and brands of China
• List of automobile manufacturers of China

Notes and References

1. Web site: A New EV Brand is Born – China's IM Motors is Officially Launched; Backed by Alibaba. Auto Futures. 16 January 2021. 11 September 2021.
2. Web site: SAIC & Alibaba set up Zhiji Auto for electric car label IM. Electrive. 15 January 2021. 11 September 2021.
3. Web site: SAIC's premium EV brand Zhiji Motor to show three models at Auto China 2021. 2022-02-09. Gasgoo.
4. Web site: Zhiji L7 Is An Electric Sports Sedan From China With Wireless Charging, 620-Mile Range. Carscoops. Sam D.. Smith. 12 April 2021. 11 September 2021.
5. Web site: Giant Air Purifier On Wheels Sets Out To Make A Real Difference: Say Hello To The IM Airo. Carscoops. Sam D.. Smith. 21 April 2021. 11 September 2021.
6. Web site: IM Motors is launching 3+1+1 Plan at Auto Shanghai 2021. PR Newswire. 24 April 2021. 12 September 2021.
7. Web site: 2022-12-17. en. The IM LS7 Is An Electric Chinese SUV That Looks Like An Aston Martin DBX. 16 December 2022 .
8. Web site: 2023-09-23. en. MG Australia wants 579kW IM LS6 electric SUV.
9. Web site: 2023-07-27. en. Audi in talks to buy premium EV platform from China's SAIC, report says.
10. Web site: 2022年整车销售数据 . SAIC Motor . 2024-04-07 .
11. Web site: 2023年整车销售数据 . SAIC Motor . 2024-04-07 .