Chine
IM
IM (short for "Intelligence in Motion," Chinese name Zhiji Auto, 智己汽车) is a Chinese automaker of high-end electric vehicles, founded on December 25, 2020 in Shanghai. The brand was born from a joint venture bringing together three major players: state-owned manufacturer SAIC Motor (majority shareholder with roughly 54%), technology giant Alibaba Group, and the public fund Zhangjiang Hi-Tech (Pudong Science and Technology Investment), each holding a significant stake. Backed by an initial investment of about 10 billion yuan, the company was designed to position SAIC in the premium segment of intelligent electric mobility, combining SAIC's industrial expertise with Alibaba's know-how in artificial intelligence and data processing. As early as January 2021, IM unveiled a rendering of its first sedan, presented as a rival to the Tesla Model S. In April 2021, at the Shanghai Auto Show, the brand exhibited the prototype of the L7 sedan along with two concepts (the LS7 SUV and the Airo concept designed by British designer Thomas Heatherwick). The lineup then expanded: the LS7 SUV launched in late 2022, the compact LS6 SUV in 2023, and the L6 sedan in 2024, notably shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The brand raised substantial financing (an 8-billion-yuan Series B in March 2024) to support its expansion. Starting in 2025, IM began its international rollout: its models are marketed under the IM5 (sedan, derived from the L6) and IM6 (SUV, derived from the LS6) names, often distributed through the MG group's network in Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland) and in Australia. To date, no commercial presence has been confirmed in North America (Canada, United States); based on currently available public information, the North American market is not an announced target for the brand.
ActiveÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireChinoises
History
History of IM
IM (short for "Intelligence in Motion," Chinese name Zhiji Auto, 智己汽车) is a Chinese automaker of high-end electric vehicles, founded on December 25, 2020 in Shanghai. The brand was born from a joint venture bringing together three major players: state-owned manufacturer SAIC Motor (majority shareholder with roughly 54%), technology giant Alibaba Group, and the public fund Zhangjiang Hi-Tech (Pudong Science and Technology Investment), each holding a significant stake. Backed by an initial investment of about 10 billion yuan, the company was designed to position SAIC in the premium segment of intelligent electric mobility, combining SAIC's industrial expertise with Alibaba's know-how in artificial intelligence and data processing. As early as January 2021, IM unveiled a rendering of its first sedan, presented as a rival to the Tesla Model S. In April 2021, at the Shanghai Auto Show, the brand exhibited the prototype of the L7 sedan along with two concepts (the LS7 SUV and the Airo concept designed by British designer Thomas Heatherwick). The lineup then expanded: the LS7 SUV launched in late 2022, the compact LS6 SUV in 2023, and the L6 sedan in 2024, notably shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The brand raised substantial financing (an 8-billion-yuan Series B in March 2024) to support its expansion. Starting in 2025, IM began its international rollout: its models are marketed under the IM5 (sedan, derived from the L6) and IM6 (SUV, derived from the LS6) names, often distributed through the MG group's network in Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland) and in Australia. To date, no commercial presence has been confirmed in North America (Canada, United States); based on currently available public information, the North American market is not an announced target for the brand.
Public founding or origin of IM.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
IM relies on advanced electric technologies. The flagship model (L6/IM5) introduces a high-voltage electrical architecture on the order of 900 V and a semi-solid electrolyte battery, called "Lightyear," of about 130 kWh, announced with a range that can exceed 1,000 km on the Chinese cycle and ultra-fast charging (recovering several hundred kilometers in about ten minutes). The 800 V silicon carbide (SiC) platforms reduce consumption. On the driving side, IM is developing the IM AD driver-assistance system, supported by Momenta, with lidar sensors (up to high-resolution architectures on the higher-end models) and cutting-edge computing chips (including NVIDIA). The cabin integrates the "AIOS Smart Cockpit" with Alibaba's AI. Some recent SUVs also offer extended-range versions (EREV).
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A high-end, fully electric Chinese vehicle brand from the SAIC group, focused on range, technology, and artificial intelligence.
Reputation
A young brand, IM is still little known outside China, and its long-term reliability track record remains limited by its recent history. On the technical side, it is praised for its high-voltage architecture, its long-range semi-solid batteries, and its generous technology equipment for the price. In Europe and Australia, its arrival under the MG umbrella is reassuring when it comes to the service network. Resale value remains hard to establish, given the lack of hindsight and the rapid depreciation observed across several recent Chinese electric brands. Early reviews praise the range, the power, and the equipment-to-price ratio, while pointing to refinement and tuning that are sometimes still a work in progress.
Strengths
High range thanks to the semi-solid batteries, a high-voltage architecture on the order of 900 V and very fast charging, rich technology equipment (Alibaba AI, Momenta driver assistance, lidar), premium positioning at a competitive price, and industrial solidity provided by the backing of SAIC, one of the largest Chinese automakers.
Points to watch
A very recent brand with limited hindsight on long-term reliability and resale value; no official presence in North America, hence no service or parts network in Canada; an exclusively electric lineup with no pure internal-combustion option; still-low brand awareness outside China; refinement and dynamic tuning sometimes deemed a work in progress in early reviews.
Models
IM models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
IM's production takes place in China, within the industrial ecosystem of SAIC Motor, its main shareholder, in the Shanghai region. The brand thus benefits from the assembly capacity, supply chain, and engineering of one of the largest Chinese automakers. Vehicles intended for export (IM5, IM6) are built in China and then distributed internationally, frequently through the MG group's channels. To date, IM has no plant or production in North America, and no local assembly in Canada or the United States has been announced. Interested North American buyers must therefore consider that the brand is not officially established there.
Tires and wheels
IM models (the IM5 sedan, the IM6 SUV) are premium electric vehicles fitted with large wheels, typically from 19 to 21 inches depending on the version, with low-profile tires. On the sporty variants, a staggered fitment is used (rear tires wider than the front), for example 245 at the front and 275 at the rear in a 20-inch diameter, in performance tires. The high weight inherent to EVs and the instant torque place heavy demands on the tires. In Quebec, dedicated winter tires are essential and strongly recommended, often in a winter fitment reduced by one diameter to preserve range and comfort. Always confirm the exact size, bolt pattern, and original offset before purchasing wheels.