Chinese automotive giant Geely has launched yet another car brand in Radar Auto, and its first model, the RD6, an electric ute, or pickup truck, positions the company as a potential direct competitor to American electric utility vehicle manufacturer Rivian.
Geely has been drip feeding teasers of an upcoming electric ute, and this week finally revealed the full exterior of the RD6, the first model from the Chinese juggernaut’s latest car brand.
Radar Auto will be yet another independent brand, joining the likes of Polestar and Zeekr under the Geely Holding Group. It will boast its own R&D facility in Hangzhou and a fully equipped EV production facility in Zibo, Shandong.
Unsurprisingly, given all this, Radar is getting underway by developing a complete portfolio of “electric lifestyle vehicles” that will include everything from SUVs, utes, ATVs, and other products.
“Understanding this new market segment and creating a new brand specifically for these unique users has been the highlight of my career so far,” said Dr. Ling, a Geely Auto Group engineer and newly appointed Radar Auto CEO.
“Radar Auto will be purpose-driven from the outset and that purpose is to allow users to explore the world in a more sustainable way.”
The RD6 will be the brand’s first offering, and while we don’t know a lot about it, we do know what it’s going to look like.
Built on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) electric platform, the RD6 will reportedly offer a range of over 600 kilometres and accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 7 seconds, though little more than that is known at the moment.
Built on the SEA platform will allow the RD6 to maximise space in both the front truck as well as the rear bed and will also enable both single- and dual-motor setups.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.