Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On May 20, Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation ("Baolong Automotive") and Weifu High-Technology Group Co., Ltd. ("WEIFU Group") announced the formation of a joint venture aimed at entering the emerging market of fully active suspension systems, according to a post on Baolong Automotive's WeChat account.
The two companies, through their respective subsidiaries, will jointly invest RMB 400 million to establish the new entity.
The joint venture, tentatively named Weifu Baolong Technology Co., Ltd., will focus on developing and mass-producing motor pump units (MPUs)—a key component of fully active suspension systems. These systems offer significantly enhanced vehicle handling and ride comfort, and are increasingly in demand among automakers. The new company will be majority-owned by WEIFU Group's subsidiary Nanjing Weifu Jinning Co., Ltd., which will contribute 220 million yuan for a 55% stake, while Baolong Automotive's wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanghai Baolong Automotive Technology (Anhui) Co., Ltd., will invest 180 million yuan for the remaining 45%.
The venture will leverage Baolong Automotive's expertise in air suspension technology and market channels, along with WEIFU Group's strengths in the R&D and manufacturing of core automotive components such as electro-hydraulic pumps. Together, they aim to provide high-quality, competitive MPU products to automakers and accelerate the adoption of fully active suspension systems across China's automotive sector.
Baolong Automotive began developing intelligent suspension technologies in 2012 and has since built in-house capabilities spanning from rubber compound formulation to software algorithms. Its R&D covers system functionality, design validation, fully automated assembly, tuning technologies, and air spring rubber components. To date, the company holds 108 patents, including 10 for inventions, 94 utility models, and 4 design patents—making it one of the few domestic firms to possess comprehensive core technologies in intelligent suspension.
Baolong Automotive has already developed and industrialized a complete intelligent suspension suite integrating sensing, decision-making, and actuation, and has combined its active suspension system with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to produce a predictive suspension system that scans road conditions in advance. Beyond the MPU, Baolong Automotive is also working on related components such as accumulators, high-pressure hydraulic and air lines, and fully active electronic dampers.
Founded in 1958, WEIFU Group has built long-standing partnerships with major domestic OEMs and automakers. Its core automotive product lines—including fuel injection systems, exhaust aftertreatment, intake systems, braking systems, and hydrogen and fuel cell components—enjoy strong market competitiveness and share. In recent years, the company has strategically expanded into green hydrogen and intelligent electrification, establishing R&D capabilities across hydrogen and fuel cell components, renewable hydrogen production, electric drive systems, thermal management, intelligent sensing modules, and hydraulic systems.
