经济观察报·2025-09-26 09:53Core Viewpoint - Mercedes-Benz has officially acquired a 3% stake in Qianli Technology, enhancing its software capabilities in China, marking a strategic investment aimed at boosting its presence in the intelligent driving sector [2][3]. Group 1: Investment Details - On September 25, Qianli Technology announced that its shareholder, Lifan Holdings, transferred 135.6 million shares (3% of total equity) to Mercedes-Benz Digital Technology at a price of RMB 9.87 per share, totaling approximately RMB 1.34 billion [2]. - This transaction is characterized as both a "debt restructuring and strategic investment," as Lifan Holdings needed to settle debts through this share transfer [2]. Group 2: Background of Qianli Technology - Qianli Technology, formerly known as Lifan Technology, underwent a name change in February 2025 after emerging from bankruptcy restructuring in 2020, with Geely becoming its major shareholder [3]. - Geely has recently restructured its intelligent driving team, merging various divisions into Qianli Technology, which now serves as the primary platform for intelligent driving within Geely's operations [4]. Group 3: Strategic Implications for Mercedes-Benz - The investment in Qianli Technology is part of Mercedes-Benz's broader strategy to enhance its intelligent driving capabilities in the Chinese market, following previous investments in local tech firms [5]. - Mercedes-Benz's collaboration with Qianli Technology is expected to help the company meet the evolving demands of Chinese consumers for electric and intelligent vehicles [6]. Group 4: Industry Context - Other major automotive players like BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen are also accelerating partnerships with local Chinese tech firms to enhance their competitive edge in the electric and intelligent vehicle market [6].