Chine
Livan
Livan (Livan Automotive) is a Chinese automaker born in 2022 from a joint venture pairing the Geely group (through its subsidiary Geely Qizheng) with Lifan Technology, today Chongqing Qianli Technology. Its history, however, goes back further: the lineage traces its roots to Shanghai Maple Automobiles, founded in 2000, which produced vehicles under the Huapu (Maple) brand, whose first model in 2003 was derived from the Citroën ZX. Geely took a strategic stake in Shanghai Maple as early as 2002, fully consolidated the company in 2008 as an entry-level brand, then placed it dormant in 2010. The Maple brand was relaunched in 2020 to produce affordable electric vehicles on existing Geely platforms, initially as part of a joint venture with Kandi Technologies. In 2022, Geely and Lifan formalized the creation of Livan, presented as a mobility brand focused on electric vehicles, with R&D capabilities, smart manufacturing and global supply chains. On the Chinese market, Livan positions itself in the battery-swapping electric vehicle niche. In 2024, Geely Automobile Holdings sold its 45% stake to Geely Qizheng; ownership was then split between Qianli Technology (55%) and Geely Qizheng (45%), two entities both remaining within the Zhejiang Geely Holding group. In April 2025, the Livan brand was consolidated and became a product line within Geely Auto. For export, Livan took a different direction: it entered the Russian market in mid-2023 as a budget brand selling restyled, internal-combustion Geely models, then Spain and the United Arab Emirates in 2025. A partnership with Indonesia's Aletra Mobil Nusantara targets right-hand-drive electric vehicles. Livan has no official industrial or commercial presence in North America; the brand remains absent from Quebec and the rest of the continent.
ActiveÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireChinoises
History
History of Livan
Livan (Livan Automotive) is a Chinese automaker born in 2022 from a joint venture pairing the Geely group (through its subsidiary Geely Qizheng) with Lifan Technology, today Chongqing Qianli Technology. Its history, however, goes back further: the lineage traces its roots to Shanghai Maple Automobiles, founded in 2000, which produced vehicles under the Huapu (Maple) brand, whose first model in 2003 was derived from the Citroën ZX. Geely took a strategic stake in Shanghai Maple as early as 2002, fully consolidated the company in 2008 as an entry-level brand, then placed it dormant in 2010. The Maple brand was relaunched in 2020 to produce affordable electric vehicles on existing Geely platforms, initially as part of a joint venture with Kandi Technologies. In 2022, Geely and Lifan formalized the creation of Livan, presented as a mobility brand focused on electric vehicles, with R&D capabilities, smart manufacturing and global supply chains. On the Chinese market, Livan positions itself in the battery-swapping electric vehicle niche. In 2024, Geely Automobile Holdings sold its 45% stake to Geely Qizheng; ownership was then split between Qianli Technology (55%) and Geely Qizheng (45%), two entities both remaining within the Zhejiang Geely Holding group. In April 2025, the Livan brand was consolidated and became a product line within Geely Auto. For export, Livan took a different direction: it entered the Russian market in mid-2023 as a budget brand selling restyled, internal-combustion Geely models, then Spain and the United Arab Emirates in 2025. A partnership with Indonesia's Aletra Mobil Nusantara targets right-hand-drive electric vehicles. Livan has no official industrial or commercial presence in North America; the brand remains absent from Quebec and the rest of the continent.
Public founding or origin of Livan.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Livan relies on Geely's modular platforms (notably BMA, CMA and derived architectures) to share development costs. Its distinctive technology on the Chinese market is battery swapping: compatible electric models can have their pack replaced in a few dozen seconds via Geely's E-ENERGEE platforms and GBRC (Global Battery Rapid Change) architecture, which addresses range anxiety and suits taxi fleets. The electric range uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and NMC batteries, with CLTC-rated ranges of roughly 450 to 605 km depending on the version. Some export models, by contrast, rely on conventional gasoline powertrains sourced from Geely, while at least one range-extender (EREV) variant combines a battery with an auxiliary internal-combustion engine. Electric SUVs (Livan 7: 50 kWh LFP ~450 km or 68 kWh NMC ~605 km CLTC, 120 to 180 kW motors), GBRC battery-swap platform via E-ENERGEE. Range-extender (EREV) variants and, for export, Geely gasoline powertrains. A mix of powertrains by market: battery-swap electric versions (Chinese city cars and MPVs on Geely platforms) and gasoline versions for export. Shared Geely LFP/NMC packs and architectures. GBRC / E-ENERGEE battery-swap platform, LFP and NMC packs, CLTC ranges of roughly 450 to 605 km, 120 to 180 kW motors, and range-extender (EREV) variants with an auxiliary internal-combustion engine.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
Affordable Chinese brand within the Geely group, focused on battery-swap electric vehicles, absent from North America.
Reputation
Livan remains a young brand that is little known outside China; it benefits from Geely's proven engineering and platforms, a sign of a certain technical maturity, but does not yet have a documented long-term track record for reliability or resale value. Its Chinese reputation rests mainly on affordable electric vehicles and battery swapping for fleets. For export, its image is that of a budget brand offering restyled Geely models. In North America, where the brand is absent, it is essentially unknown to the general public and has not been the subject of any road test or reliability rating by local organizations.
Strengths
Backing from the Geely group (platforms, R&D, supply chain), fast battery-swap technology well suited to fleets and taxis, affordable electric vehicles, and a lineup spanning SUVs, MPVs and city cars. Sharing components with proven Geely models ensures a mature technical foundation despite the brand's young age.
Points to watch
A very recent and little-known brand, with no established track record for reliability or resale value. A complete absence from the North American market: no dealer network, parts, warranty or support in Quebec. A primarily Chinese (and budget export) positioning, with a product identity that is often derived from restyled Geely models rather than original. Reputation and independent road tests are still scarce.
Models
Livan models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Livan has its headquarters and industrial base in Fengjing (Jinshan district), in the Shanghai region of China, and operates related entities such as Shanghai LTI Automobile Components. Production is part of the industrial network of the Geely group and Lifan/Qianli, which supplies platforms, powertrains and components. The brand owns no factory or assembly site in North America, and no local production is announced there. Vehicles destined for export markets (Russia, Spain, the Emirates, Indonesia) are manufactured in China and then shipped, sometimes with a Livan-specific restyling. No official imports to Canada or the United States exist to date.
Tires and wheels
Since Livan vehicles are derived from Geely platforms (compact SUVs, MPVs, city cars, sedans), you find the wheel-and-tire fitments typical of these segments: 16- to 19-inch wheels depending on the model and trim, with a bolt pattern generally of the 5x114.3 type common on compacts and SUVs in this category. Because no model is officially sold in Quebec, the exact dimensions must be verified on a case-by-case basis. As a general rule, these vehicles follow the standards of compact to mid-size SUVs and crossovers. In Quebec, certified winter tires (mountain-snowflake symbol) remain mandatory and essential for safety and grip on these vehicles.