On April 13, 2026, Chinese automaker Geely unveiled a new hybrid electric vehicle (i-HEV) system, in a bid to challenge Japanese automakers that have long dominated the conventional vehicle market. The new system uses artificial intelligence to monitor external conditions such as temperature, altitude and humidity to save energy.
In a recent road test, a Geely Emgrand SUV equipped with this system set a new Guinness World Record by consuming just 2.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.
In addition to saving fuel, the new high-tech system helps to make driving easier for the driver with smart driving features, something Geely says Japanese hybrids lack.
The automaker plans to introduce the technology to a range of vehicles this year, including the Preface, Monjaro, Starray and Emgrand.
Since Toyota launched the Prius in 1997, Japanese companies have dominated the global market for hybrid vehicles.
To give you an idea of the size of their market, Geely sold 4.11 million cars worldwide in 2025, while Toyota sold 11.3 million cars that year. Analysts see the launch of Geely’s new model as a serious challenge to Japan in this highly profitable segment.