Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding) has signed a strategic framework agreement with China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) to cooperate on the development of supersonic trains and related technologies.
The agreement, announced at the 12th annual Zhuhai Airshow, will enable Geely Holding and CASIC to pool their capabilities in the development of next-generation mobility technologies. The two sides will also cooperate in the development of industrial internet and related technologies in the promotion of intelligent industrialization and manufacturing.
Speaking at the signing, Chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Li Shufu said “The strong alliance between our two sides is built on a foundation of common pursuits, which will become an inspiration in cross industry strategic cooperation to others. We will lay the groundwork for developing core technologies for the next generation of transportation, transform and upgrade related industries for high-quality development, and build an interconnected industrial infrastructure which in turn will promote future innovation.”
Among the areas of technology cooperation, the proposed supersonic trains will use magnetic levitation (Maglev) technologies to eliminate ground friction and vacuum tubes to reduce air resistance. The supersonic trains are positioned as the next generation of mobility offering safe, comfortable, highly adaptable, environmentally-friendly, ultra-high-speed transportation. Maglev high-speed train technology has already developed a proven track record in China, which has the most operational Maglev tracks in the world.
Technologies developed through the realization of supersonic trains will help Geely Holding advance the fields of new energy vehicles, automotive safety, and new material science.
As part of the framework agreement, Geely Holding will contribute expertise in intelligent manufacturing and commercial operations, enabling CASIC to maximize its strengths in technological research and development, industrial internet, and smart supply chain. The next evolution in manufacturing will be in the form of intelligent manufacturing combined with industrial internet and smart supply chain.
With a forward-looking approach to future mobility, Geely Holding has continuously invested over tens of billions RMB into R&D and have gathered over 20,000 researchers to form a world-class innovation and technology R&D system. Geely Holding’s vision of future mobility has led them into the fields of low-orbit satellites, vehicle microchips, car networking, flying cars, etc. to create a three-dimensional digital transportation network covering land, sea, and air. The new alliance with CASIC will further advance Geely Holding’s transformation into a global technology innovation group.
