(Yicai Global) June 20 -- Polestar Automotive Holding and technology firm Xingji Meizu, both owned by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, have set up a joint venture to develop operating systems for the Swedish electric carmaker's autos in China.

The joint venture is to strengthen Polestar's offer in the Chinese EV market by combining its capabilities in design and performance with Xingji Meizu's software and consumer electronics hardware expertise, Polestar said yesterday.

Polestar will own 49 percent of the JV, and Xingji Meizu, who will be in charge of the JV's future financing beyond the initial capital, the rest, the Swedish firm noted. Around 130 of Polestar's commercial employees will likely be moved to the JV, which will be its sole authorized sales and service entity in China, it added.

"China is one of the fastest growing EV markets in the world," said Polestar Chief Executive Thomas Ingenlath. "It's also a market with very specific consumer trends, including increasing levels of integration between consumer electronics devices and vehicles.

"By partnering with a company that has a strong complementary competence to our own, we will be able to offer the locally tailored user experience that both drivers and passengers expect," Ingenlath added.

The JV will develop Xingji Meizu's technology platform, Flyme Auto, into an OS for Polestar's vehicles in China, including in-car applications, streaming services, and intelligent vehicle software, the Gothenburg-based firm noted. It will connect to handsets, augmented reality devices, and users' apps, it pointed out.

"All Polestar's products in China will be powered by Polestar OS," said Shen Ziyu, chairman of Xingji Meizu and of the JV. This includes electric vehicles, smartphones, and other smart devices under the Polestar brand, Shen added.

Polestar cars outside China will still feature Android Automotive OS infotainment system.

Xingji Meizu, set up through the merger of Geely's tech firm Xingji and smartphone manufacturer Meizu Technology, has around 2,600 employees and developes mobile and wearable smart devices that use extended reality technology. Its Flyme Auto OS will be used in several EVs, such as the Lynk & Co 08.

Editor: Martin Kadiev