Former Baidu CTO and Niu Technologies Founder Li Yinan Launches NIUTRON Electric Vehicle Brand
Technology veteran Li Yinan, formerly CTO of Baidu and founder of Niu Technologies, is entering the electric vehicle industry with his new automotive venture, NIUTRON.
Li Yinan, a prominent figure in the technology sector known for his roles as former CTO of Baidu and founder of Niu Technologies, has launched a new electric vehicle (EV) company named NIUTRON. The venture aims to compete in the burgeoning EV market.
Established in 2018, NIUTRON has secured significant funding, including a $500 million Series A round from investors like IDG and COATUE. The company has developed its proprietary Gemini Platform and has a pipeline of future models. Its first vehicle, the NIUTRON NV, is a premium mid-large sized SUV designed for "Urban Exploring," available in both battery electric (BEV) and extended-range electric (EREV) options.
The NIUTRON NV is scheduled for pre-order launch in China in the first half of 2022, with deliveries commencing in September 2022. The company is also constructing a 770,000 square meter manufacturing facility with an annual production capacity of 180,000 units, expected to be operational by March 2022.
Li Yinan's prior success includes founding Niu Technologies, a leading electric scooter brand that listed on Nasdaq in 2018. NIUTRON seeks to leverage his experience to establish a strong presence in the automotive industry.