(Yicai) Oct. 30 -- The high-end intelligent robocar brand co-launched by Chinese auto giant Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and internet giant Baidu has released its electric vehicle series, which will compete with Tesla’s sports utility vehicle Model Y.

The Ji Yue 01 is a series of artificial intelligence-powered robocars and medium- and large-sized pure-electric SUVs. There are two Ji Yue 01 models, the Ji Yue 01 Max and the Ji Yue 01 Max Performance, priced between CNY249,900 and CNY339,900 (USD34,150 and USD46,450). The Ji Yue 01 cars have a mileage of 550 to 720 kilometers.

Hangzhou-based Jiyuyue Automotive Technology, the owner of the Ji Yue brand, was founded on Aug. 9, with Geely’s Zhejiang Geely Industrial Investment Holding and Baidu’s Shanghai Minhang Automobile, owning 65 percent and 35 percent, respectively, of the total equity. Geely and Baidu partnered in 2021 to establish the robocar startup Jidu Auto.

Since it was first defined in 2021, Ji Yue has always intended to compete with Tesla, said Xia Yiping, chief executive of Ji Yue and Jidu. The senior management drew a lot from Tesla’s Model Y in terms of selling prices, market positioning, and configurations when developing the Ji Yue 01, Xia added.

Ji Yue’s driver assistance system is based solely on vision, just like the Model Y. The Ji Yue 01 boasts 28 intelligent driving sensors -- 11 high-definition cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensor systems radars, and five millimeter-wave radars -- and does not have light detection and ranging, a first for Chinese automakers.

LiDAR technology will still be necessary to realize Level-4 autonomous driving, but under the existing laws and regulations, overly progressive self-driving has no value, and the pure vision-based intelligent driving solution is already enough, Xia noted.

Sales of the Ji Yue 01 will achieve 10,000 units per month next year, Xia said.

Ji Yue has nearly 50 outlets, with the number expected to exceed 100 by December and 250 by the end of next year. Its second mass-produced model is expected to be delivered next year, according to Jia.

Ji Yue also launched high-end intelligent driving solution Robo Drive Max, which includes point-to-point autopilot, automated valet parking, and many other functions.

Editor: Futura Costaglione