Mercedes-Benz Partners with Yikatong and Meizu for Smart Cockpit System

Amid the global wave of automotive intelligence, traditional luxury giant Mercedes-Benz is actively seeking breakthroughs to address its shortcomings in the smart technology sector. According to exclusive information obtained by 36Kr from several insiders, Mercedes has partnered with Yikatong and Meizu, marking the imminent integration of the Flyme Auto smart cockpit system into its vehicle lineup in China. The long-wheelbase version of the E-Class will be the first model to feature this advanced system, with an expected debut in 2027. 36Kr has also confirmed that the E-Class is indeed scheduled for a significant facelift in 2027. Yikatong, a subsidiary of Geely Group focused on creating a comprehensive automotive intelligence platform, began its journey in 2016. At that time, Shen Ziyu was a leader at Botai Internet of Vehicles, while Geely was planning a major transformation towards intelligent technology. Geely's chairman Li Shufu invited Shen Ziyu to join forces and co-found Yikatong Technology. In this successful collaboration, Geely and Shen's team held 70% and 30% of the shares respectively, marking the beginning of a new chapter in intelligent mobility. In 2022, Yikatong successfully entered the US stock market, embarking on a new journey for global development. Today, Yikatong has expanded its focus beyond smart cockpits to include intelligent driving and core components, showcasing its comprehensive capabilities in automotive intelligence. Meanwhile, Meizu, a mobile phone brand acquired by Geely in 2022, is becoming a key player in Geely's 'vehicle-machine interconnection' strategy. Shen Ziyu has publicly likened Geely's positioning of Yikatong and Meizu to Huawei's dual-drive model: Yikatong is comparable to Huawei's automotive business unit, while Meizu is akin to Huawei's consumer business group. This strategic positioning undoubtedly reflects Geely's ambition in the field of intelligent mobility. In March 2023, the Flyme Auto smart cockpit system, a result of the collaboration between Meizu and Yikatong, was launched. The Lynk & Co 08 EM-P was the first model equipped with this system, gaining significant market attention upon its release. Following this, Geely's brands, including Galaxy and Lynk & Co, adopted Flyme Auto, which has gradually become a key indicator of intelligent upgrades in Geely vehicles. Flyme Auto has not only boosted sales of models like Galaxy but has also transformed Geely's reputation in the cockpit sector. The selection of Flyme Auto for the E-Class as a key component of its intelligent upgrade signals Mercedes-Benz's unprecedented commitment to enhancing its intelligence capabilities, aiming to counteract declining sales in the Chinese market. In recent years, according to sales data from the Chinese market, Mercedes delivered over 714,000 new vehicles in 2024, a year-on-year decline of nearly 7%, and its sales in the first half of this year fell to 293,200 units, down 14% year-on-year. Facing such a severe market challenge, Mercedes urgently needs to find new growth points, and intelligence is undoubtedly key to breaking through. In the area of assisted driving, Mercedes has partnered with Momenta; in the cockpit domain, the introduction of Flyme Auto injects strong momentum into its transformation. This smart cockpit system, jointly developed by Meizu and Yikatong, embodies Geely's extensive experience in the field of intelligence and carries Mercedes-Benz's hopes of regaining competitiveness in the Chinese market. Before the advent of Flyme Auto, the smart cockpit was one of Geely's weaknesses. However, with the introduction of this system, the user experience in Geely's cockpits has significantly improved, with many owners calling for the Flyme Auto system to be adopted across all Geely models, highlighting its market acceptance. Since its official launch in March 2023, Flyme Auto has garnered widespread attention due to its powerful functionalities and innovative design philosophy. The system utilizes an advanced 7nm Dragon Eagle chip, supporting boundary-less desktop and seamless connections, aiming to integrate mobile phones into the automotive ecosystem. To further expand the imagination of vehicle-machine interconnection, Meizu proposed the concept of a 'mobile domain.' The Lynk & Co 08 EM-P served as the debut platform for Flyme Auto, establishing a solid foundation for the widespread adoption of Geely's smart cockpit system. Subsequently, brands under Geely such as Galaxy, Geely, and Lynk & Co followed suit, making Flyme Auto a standard feature for intelligent upgrades in Geely vehicles. As of May this year, official data from Geely shows that Flyme Auto has been deployed in 23 models, including popular vehicles such as the Galaxy E5 and Lynk & Co 900. Additionally, Meizu's data indicates that as of June 16, the total sales of vehicles equipped with Flyme Auto have exceeded 1.16 million, with a single-month increase of 130,000 units in May 2025. The upcoming release of Flyme Auto 2.0 promises significant upgrades in AI algorithms and interface design, further enhancing user experience and providing richer intelligent solutions for Geely and partners like Mercedes-Benz. Apart from Flyme Auto's remarkable market performance in Geely vehicles, the deep-rooted connections between Meizu, Yikatong, and Mercedes-Benz also play a crucial role in facilitating this collaboration. Back in 2018, Geely invested $9 billion through overseas companies to acquire 9.7% of Daimler, becoming its largest shareholder. In 2020, Mercedes and Geely jointly established smart global company to promote the electrification of the smart brand. Now, with the selection of Flyme Auto for the E-class by Mercedes-Benz, the collaboration has deepened further. This round of cooperation will not only help Mercedes maintain the competitiveness of its fuel vehicles in the Chinese market but also provide Geely with a broader platform for precise exploration in the field of intelligence. Looking ahead, Mercedes-Benz's flagship models in the Chinese market, such as the long-wheelbase versions of the C-Class, E-Class, and GLC have all adopted the latest third-generation MBUX smart cockpit system, which features Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chips and 5G communication modules, equipped with three high-definition screens and an in-car camera that supports video conferencing. On the software side, it has undergone a comprehensive upgrade of the voice assistant, supporting wake-word-free commands, continuous instructions, and semantic understanding, with voice feedback speed reduced to 0.5 seconds and the number of commands increased to over 2,000. Despite significant advancements in cockpit functionalities, Mercedes must keep pace with the rapid rise of domestic brands such as Li Auto and Xpeng in the intelligent sector, along with the emergence of innovative models like the Zunji S800. The introduction of Flyme Auto injects new vitality and hope into its transformation. With the upcoming launch of the all-electric CLA in 2025, we have reason to believe that with the support of intelligent technologies like Flyme Auto, Mercedes will continue to write a glorious chapter in the Chinese market. The upcoming MB.OS operating system marks a new chapter in its self-developed technology. Mercedes proudly announces that the MB.OS will completely abandon the slow pace of annual updates, achieving an OTA update frequency comparable to domestic new energy forces, injecting fresh vitality into the brand. In the AI domain, MB.OS incorporates cutting-edge generative AI technology and large language models, signaling a comprehensive upgrade in the intelligent driving experience. Although MB.OS has yet to be officially unveiled, Mercedes has laid out an ambitious blueprint for it. This operating system, built on a new electrical architecture, is set to shine on the four platforms of MMA, MB.EA, AMG.EA, and VAN.EA in the future. However, it is worth noting that currently sold fuel models, which account for over 80% of Mercedes's sales in China, cannot yet enjoy the technological allure brought by MB.OS. Aware of the uncertainties in the new product market, Mercedes understands the importance of maintaining the competitiveness of its main fuel models. The collaboration with Meizu is one of the strategies Mercedes is employing to face challenges. The Flyme Auto website showcases Mercedes's profound insights into the future of vehicle-machine interaction. The perfect integration of customizable desktops and small-window modes, intelligent voice assistants that require no wake-word and support multiple commands, and a seamless onboarding experience for multi-brand mobile applications will all be significant upgrades to Mercedes's existing vehicle-machine systems. This cross-industry collaboration undoubtedly reflects the essence of Mercedes's strategic transformation towards intelligence. Driven by the vision of 'oil and electricity in harmony,' Mercedes is accelerating the construction of an independent R&D system centered on a Chinese team. By the end of 2023, the new generation long-wheelbase E-Class will feature a high-speed pilot assistance system developed by the Chinese team. The development of the MB.OS system also relies on the wisdom and efforts of the Chinese team. In China, where the demand for intelligence is increasingly strong, Mercedes has chosen to closely cooperate with local suppliers. The all-electric CLA set to launch in 2025 will adopt the advanced driving assistance solutions from local company Momenta. The collaboration with Yikatong and Meizu further demonstrates Mercedes's proactive embrace of change and its quest for new breakthroughs. However, collaboration is just the starting point; the real challenge lies in how to translate these innovative technologies into practical consumer experiences. Mercedes's journey towards intelligence is a long and arduous one.