Geely has launched what it describes as a new “pure electric outdoors lifestyle vehicle brand”. The first model from the Radar Auto marque? An electric bakkie called the RD6…

Meet the battery-powered Radar RD6 bakkie, the first product from the Geely Holding Group’s freshly launched electric lifestyle brand.

The Chinese automotive giant says its box-fresh Radar Auto brand will “start with trucks [or what we in South Africa know as bakkies] but is much more than just trucks”.

Billed as an “independent brand within the wider” group, Radar already boasts a dedicated research and development facility in Hangzhou as well as a “fully equipped” electric vehicle (EV) production facility in Zibo, Shandong.

It’s the latter factory that will begin production of the Radar RD6 by the fourth quarter of 2022, before the brand rolls out a “full portfolio of electric lifestyle vehicles”, including bakkies, SUVs, ATVs and “other lifestyle products”.

What do we know about the new Radar RD6?

Geely has yet to reveal any specific details about the Radar RD6 (no, not even its dimensions), but we do know the all-electric bakkie was styled with a little help from veteran British designer Peter Horbury, who was appointed executive vice-president of design at Geely Auto back in 2011. The version shown in the press images features a double-cab body style; it’s not yet clear whether a single-cab version is on the cards (though it seems unlikely considering the “lifestyle” angle of the brand).

From what we understand,the RD6 rides on what Geely calls the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), which is shared with the Smart#1 (remember, Geely and Mercedes-Benz started a joint venture a little while back to revive the Smart marque) and includes both single- and dual-motor options. The Chinese firm says performance figures and range will be announced “in due course”, though a report out of China claims a single-charge range in the region of 600 km.

Geely has, however, confirmed the RD6 will boast a “front trunk” under the bonnet as well as a load bed with “external charging facilities”.

“The Radar product portfolio is focused on electric pick-up trucks and SUVs. This direction challenges us to mix functionality and usability with aesthetic form. Our aim is to let Radar users expand their horizons and explore nature in a sustainable way,” said Horbury.

An autopowerhouse: Geely’s vast collection of brands

Geely has appointed Dr. Ling Shi Quan – an engineering veteran who also helped establish the Lynk & Co brand – as the CEO of Radar.

“Understanding this new market segment and creating a new brand specifically for these unique users has been the highlight of my career so far. Radar Auto will be purpose-driven from the outset and that purpose is to allow users to explore the world in a more sustainable way,” explained Dr. Ling.

Of course, the Geely Holding Group produces vehicles not only under its various domestic brands (such asGeely Auto and Geometry), but also under its overseas subsidiaries, which includeVolvo Cars,Polestar, Lynk & Co, Proton and Lotus.

Here’s hoping Geely releases more details about the new Radar RD6 soon…