Patent images leak Geely’s upcoming pickup

China's Geely is planning to build an electric pickup truck. A model that has been leaked in patent images may be launched under the Chinese auto giant’s new brand called Radar.

It comes after it was reported that Geely will develop an electric pickup for the Radar sub-brand. Images of this pickup appeared online through patent filings.

The first electric truck from Geely is expected in 2022, and it may be revealed as soon as May 13. According to outlets such as Car News China, the patent images show the first Radar vehicle, a handsome pickup. As with the Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz, it appears to eschew the butch appearance of pickups like the GWM Ute in favour of a more SUV-like appearance.

Approximately USD356 million has been invested by Geely in a new manufacturing facility in Shandong Province, according to Geely. The company will reportedly focus on developing pure-electric pickup trucks with mid- to high-end price tags. The Farizon FX, a pickup truck based on the Geely Boyue crossover, features a unibody construction, and is Geely's only pickup truck.

Chinese urban areas are becoming more and more accustomed to this body style. In spite of the high level of attention paid to full-sized electric pickups, like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck, Chinese manufacturers have been making headway in the mid-sized EV pickup market.

LDV has an electric version of its T60 ute in China, while Nissan has launched the Rich 6 EV based on the Navara. Geely is believed to be aiming to benchmark Rivian, which produces the electric R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. According to The Financial Associated Press last year, the company aims to benchmark Rivian. A number of Geely's brands produce electric vehicles, including Volvo and Polestar, but it has never produced an electric pickup truck. Homtruck, a concept electric semi-truck, is set to debut by 2024.

By 2025, Geely plans to have 5000 battery swapping stations across China. At the 2021 Wuzhen Internet Conference, a battery-swapping service called E-Energee was demonstrated that allows EV owners to swap their existing battery for a fresh one in 59 seconds.

Also Read: Ford files patent application for tech to remotely rev engine