Levdeo (Chinese: 雷丁) or LETIN was a Chinese motor vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Shandong, China, that specializes in producing electric vehicles, marketing its models under the Letin brand until 2023.

Levdeo
FormerlyShandong Mailad Energy Power Technology Co., Ltd.
Company typePrivate
IndustryAutomotive
Founded2008; 16 years ago (2008)
FounderLi Guoxin
DefunctMay 2023 (2023-05)
FateDefunct
HeadquartersWeifang, ,
China
Key people
Chairman: Wang Dejin
ProductsPure electric vehicle
OwnerBidwin Holdings Group Co., Ltd.(100%)
Websitewww.levdeo.com

History

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Li Guoxin is registered and established Weifang Bidwen Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in 2002 and entered the electric bicycle manufacturing business.

He founded Levdeo in 2008, and is based in Shandong. It was originally a low-speed electric vehicle company that produced Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.

In 2010, he registered and established a subsidiary, Bidwen Holding Group Co., Ltd., which is the controlling shareholder of Levdeo.

In April 2018, Levdeo Auto acquired Shaanxi Qinxing Auto, thereby obtaining the production qualification of new energy commercial vehicles and special vehicles and establishing a production base in Xianyang; In January 2019, Levdeo acquired Yema Auto in order to enter the full size electric vehicle market. Levdeo revealed plans to strategically reorganized it, with plans to launch electric vehicles built on existing Yemo gasoline vehicle platforms and upgraded low-speed electric vehicle platforms under the newly launched Letin brand.[1]

Levdeo launched the i3 under the Letin brand in 2019. The i3 is available in 3 variants, the i3 Base, i3 K-version, and the i3 Comfort. Its dimensions measure 3420 mm × 1500 mm × 1570 mm, and a wheelbase of 2297 mm, with a kerb weight of 830 kg. It takes 9 hours to fully charge.[2] The base price is ¥62,800.[3]

The i5 was also launched under the Letin brand in 2019. It is available as the i5 Base model and the i5 Comfort model. It measures 4055 mm × 1630 mm × 1510 mm. The wheelbase is 2400 mm and its weight is 1010 kg. Its base price is ¥75,800.[4]

Levdeo's third vehicle was the Letin i9, which was launched in 2020 based on the same platform as the Yema T60 (博骏, Bojun), or essentially a rebadged Yema EC60. Its dimensions are 4360 mm × 1830 mm × 1660 mm, a wheelbase of 2550 mm, and a kerb weight of 1510 kg. It takes 7 hours to charge fully. It costs ¥115,800.[5][6]

According to relevant statistics, from January to October 2022, Levdeo's cumulative sales were 6,878 units.[7] The company's production base in Mianyang was originally scheduled to be completed in August 2022, but the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 epidemic and the continued high temperatures in China in 2022.[8] On November 21 of the same year, Levdeo completed its Series A financing with a total financing amount of 3.2 billion yuan, led by Weifang Weicheng Western Investment Development Group, and followed by state-owned capital, industry and private capital from Shandong Province and cities.[9]

According to media reports, Li Guoxin had a close relationship with Wang Shuhua, former vice mayor of Weifang and secretary of the Changle County Party Committee. On September 28, 2020, Wang Shuhua was investigated for suspected serious violations of discipline and law, during which Li Guoxin was taken away to assist in the investigation. After the investigation, Li Guoxin handed over the management of Levdeo to a professional manager and then immigrated to Canada with his family. In December of the same year, Li Guoxin resigned from all positions in the parent company Bidwin[8].

In December 2021, several dealer managers stated that Levdeo had delayed payment to dealers. In November 2022, Levdeo said in an interview with the media that funds and production capacity were relatively tight, and vehicle delivery could only be guaranteed in key markets and key regions.[9]

On January 14, 2023, Li Guoxin published an article on the WeChat official account of Levdeo, reporting the Changle County Party Secretary Wang Xiao by real name, accusing Wang Xiao of forcing Levdeo to falsely report its output value of 4.683 billion yuan in order to highlight local political achievements since March 2022. In July 2022, the loan guaranteed by the Changle County government for the acquisition of Mustang Automobile expired, but Wang Xiao did not renew the loan for the company. As Levdeo did not receive government support and could not obtain financing, the factory was shut down. On the same evening, Weifang City officials announced that Shandong Province had set up a joint investigation team composed of relevant provincial and municipal departments to enter Changle County to investigate the matter.[9] On July 25, 2023, the Shandong Provincial and Municipal Joint Investigation Team reported the relevant situation, pointing out that because the Changle County Government's continued financing support for the enterprise "did not comply with relevant national and provincial and municipal regulations", the government did not apply after comprehensive analysis, and after investigation it was found to be in compliance with regulations. Regarding the error in the total industrial output value of Levdeo, the notice pointed out that Levdeo actually falsely reported 4.543 billion yuan and promptly corrected the relevant data. The investigation determined that the Changle County Industry and Information Technology Bureau and the Zhuliu Street Office where Levdeo is located had interfered with statistical data. Regarding the issue of Wang Xiao, secretary of the Changle County Party Committee, forcing enterprises to falsify statistical data, the whistleblower was unable to provide evidence after questioning. Afterwards, the county party and government agencies and enterprise leaders were interviewed and questioned. None of them reflected that Wang Xiao interfered with statistical data. The investigation determined that the relevant departments were responsible for negligence and Wang Xiao bore the primary leadership responsibility for this.The local disciplinary inspection and supervision authorities have dealt with the nine responsible persons involved in this case.[10]

In May 2023, Levdeo applied for bankruptcy according to Court of Changle County Weifang City. [11] As of January 5, 2024, the total amount of execution against Levdeo exceeded RMB 120 million[12].

On April 30, 2024, Levdeo completed bankruptcy reorganization.[13]


Vehicles

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Current models

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Levdeo currently[when?] has 10 production vehicles.[14]

Letin Mengo (Pro)

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  • Body style: Citycar
  • Doors: 5
  • Seats: 4
  • Battery: 17 kWh
  • Production: 2020–2023
  • Revealed: 2020

Levdeo i3

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  • Body style: Citycar
  • Doors: 5
  • Seats: 4
  • Battery: 17 kWh
  • Production: 2019–2023
  • Revealed: 2019

Levdeo i5

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  • Body style: Sedan
  • Doors: 5
  • Seats: 4
  • Battery: 25.55 kWh
  • Production: 2019–2023
  • Revealed: 2019

Levdeo i9

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  • Body style: SUV
  • Doors: 5
  • Seats: 5
  • Battery: 51.06 kWh
  • Production: 2020–2023
  • Revealed: 2019

Levdeo D30

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  • Body Style: Hatchback
  • Doors: 5
  • Seats: 4
  • Production: 2014–2023
  • Revealed: 2014

Levdeo D50

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Levdeo D60/E60

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  • Body Style: Sedan
  • Doors: 5
  • Seats: 5
  • Battery: 220V
  • Production: 2015–2023
  • Revealed: 2015[18]

Levdeo D70

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  • Body Style: Hatchback
  • Doors: 5
  • Seats: 5
  • Battery:
  • Production: 2015–2023
  • Revealed: 2015[19]

Levdeo S50

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  • Body Style: SUV
  • Doors: 5
  • Seats: 5[20]
  • Battery:
  • Production:
  • Revealed:

Levdeo G10

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  • Body style: Bus
  • Doors:
  • Seats: 24
  • Battery:
  • Production: 2018–2023
  • Revealed: 2018[21]

Levdeo V60

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "LEVDEO Acquired YEMA Auto to Enter to China EV Market". chinapev.com. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Levdeo i3 EV". wattev2buy.com. 22 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Levdeo i3 and i5 launched on the Chinese car market". Facebook.
  4. ^ "Levdeo i5 EV". wattev2buy.com. 22 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Levdeo i9 EV". wattev2buy.com.
  6. ^ "Levdeo Launched i3|i5|i9 Pure EV in China Market". chinapev.com. 21 September 2023.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference sina1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference chinanews1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b c "被逼虚报产值近50亿!雷丁汽车创始人实名举报当地县委书记,官方回应". 第一财经. 2023-01-16. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  10. ^ "山东通报雷丁汽车公司实际控制人举报事件调查结果". 新华社. 2023-07-26. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  11. ^ "消失数月后,雷丁汽车申请破产". auto.gasgoo.com. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  12. ^ "雷丁汽车等被强制执行 2976 万,总金额已超 1.2 亿元". IT之家. 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  13. ^ "山东省昌乐县人民法院民事裁定书 (2024)鲁0725破1号" (PDF). 全国企业破产重整案件信息网. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
  14. ^ "Levdeo EV Models". wattev2buy.com.
  15. ^ "2014 Levdeo D50 (EV) Technical Specs". chinapev.com. 26 August 2022.
  16. ^ "electric car LEVDEO D50". whyshang.com.
  17. ^ "electric car-LEVDEO D50-1". ecvv.com.
  18. ^ "Levdeo E60 EV will be launched in China in 2015". carnewschina.com. 23 December 2014.
  19. ^ "2015 Levdeo D70 (EV) Technical Specs". chinapev.com. 26 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Levdeo Electric Mini SUV S50". Facebook.
  21. ^ "LEVEDEO Electric Bus G10 roll off the line". Facebook.
  22. ^ "FAW ELECTRIC VEHICLES". wattev2buy.com.
  23. ^ "Levdeo V60 and D60 displayed". chinacarforums.com. 7 September 2023.