Racing ahead at the very start of the year, Changchun's new energy intelligent connected vehicle sector has scored an early win in the field of autonomous wheel-drive chassis systems.  Recently, Changchun MATIC Borotic Vehicle Technology Co.,Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "MATIC Borotic") announced the completion of a Pre-A funding round worth tens of millions of yuan. The round drew participation from leading domestic hard-tech investors, including CAS Star and Shenzhen Capital Group, alongside provincial state-backed funds such as the Jilin Province Technology Investment Fund, the Jilin Provincial Specialized and Innovative Fund, and the Changxing Fund.

This successful raise represents more than just fresh capital. It signals strong endorsement from China's mainstream investment community of MATIC Borotic's leadership in the niche yet strategically important "corner module" segment. It also serves as a significant vote of confidence in Changchun's original innovation capabilities and commercialization prospects in the core components sector of new energy vehicles. The deal underscores growing market optimism surrounding the commercialization of Changchun's autonomous wheel-drive chassis technology.

Cracking the "Chassis Code": Leading the Intelligent Corner Module Frontier

MATIC Borotic Vehicle Technology Co.,Ltd. is recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise and a "Specialized, Refined, Differential and Innovative" enterprise in Changchun, and has been named a "Hidden Unicorn" in China's automotive industry.  In September 2023, the Company took on the commercialization of Jilin University's autonomous wheel-drive chassis technology. It now focuses on the R&D, commercialization, and market deployment of autonomous wheel-drive chassis systems for new energy intelligent connected vehicles. Professor Jin Liqiang, founder and Chairman of the Company and distinguished professor Tang Aoqing at Jilin University, has long specialized in innovative vehicle architectures driven by in-wheel motors and in automotive chassis dynamics. He holds more than 50 granted invention patents.

"The autonomous wheel-drive chassis is MATIC Borotic's proprietary corner module and full-vehicle chassis solution", Jin said. "It integrates a suite of core technologies, including autonomous wheel modules, by-wire systems, and fully integrated chassis control software and hardware — achieving internationally leading performance". Compared with conventional chassis systems, MATIC Borotic's solution integrates the in-wheel motor, electro-mechanical braking (EMB), kingpin steering mechanism, and suspension system into a highly integrated autonomous wheel module. Through domain-level chassis control software, the four modules operate in coordinated harmony. The results are significant: a 40% reduction in chassis component count, a 30% reduction in weight, a 50% increase in safe lane-change speed, and a six-meter shorter braking distance on icy roads. The system also enables exceptional maneuverability, including a 90-degree steering angle and zero-radius turns.

Government-Led Investment Followed by Market Capital Creates a "Changchun Model" for Commercializing Innovation

Capital backs real technology; the market rewards hard strength. Recognized as a "Hidden Unicorn" in China's automotive industry, MATIC Borotic has won the favor of top-tier domestic investment institutions with its original breakthroughs in corner module technology and internationally leading autonomous wheel-drive chassis solutions. This latest round follows a RMB 5 million investment from the Changchun Future Seed Fund. With the Company's valuation increasing fivefold since that initial backing, the new financing represents strong follow-on investment from market players.

The rapid handoff from "government-led incubation" to "market-driven follow-on funding" not only validates the Company's technological substance, but also demonstrates Changchun's strategic foresight and precision in deploying resources in frontier innovation.  MATIC Borotic's rapid growth is no accident — it is the inevitable result of the city's efficient efforts to bridge the "last mile" of turning research outcomes into real-world applications.

Commercializing scientific and technological achievements is the critical link that transforms science into technology and technology into economic value.  Many universities, research institutes, and early-stage innovators possess breakthrough technologies waiting to be activated, yet lack of funding remains one of the biggest barriers to commercialization.  To address this challenge, Changchun established the Future Seed Fund to tackle financing bottlenecks in technology transfer.

"After Professor Jin Liqiang presented the project at a roadshow, our technology commercialization task force immediately stepped in and adopted an innovative tech-investment attraction model, we successfully kept the project in Changchun and accelerated its local commercialization", said Li Changcui, Deputy Director of the Changchun Science and Technology Bureau.  In September 2023, MATIC Borotic signed an agreement with the Changchun Municipal Science and Technology Bureau and the Changchun New Area to undertake the commercialization of Jilin University's autonomous wheel-drive chassis technology, receiving the first RMB 5 million seed investment.  The Company subsequently repositioned itself as a new energy vehicle technology enterprise and entered a phase of rapid growth.  

Cultivating an Innovation Ecosystem to Power the Intelligent Transformation of the Auto Industry

Capital injection is not only an accelerator for corporate growth but also a catalyst for supply-chain collaboration.  The funds raised in this round will primarily be used to strengthen R&D investment and enhance product development, service capabilities, and market infrastructure. This will not only speed up MATIC Borotic's own technology iteration but also drive coordinated development across Changchun's local supply chain — including by-wire systems and domain controllers — generating a strong industrial clustering effect.

To date, MATIC Borotic has completed the development and delivery of six major series of chassis products. As of September 2025, it had secured more than RMB 55 million in signed contracts. In the passenger vehicle segment, the Company has provided autonomous wheel products and related technical services to Huawei, BAIC, and FAW. The AITO M9 equipped with its autonomous wheel system has already been delivered for testing. As the world's only China-originated next-generation electric vehicle chassis architecture, the technology achieved scaled industrial delivery in the off-road vehicle segment in 2025. Mass production for passenger and commercial vehicle applications is expected between 2026 and 2027.

This year marks the launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Changchun is pressing ahead with industrial transformation and upgrading, promoting the shift of auto parts manufacturers toward new energy and intelligent manufacturing through advanced equipment manufacturing, while accelerating development in sectors such as "AI+", the low-altitude economy, and synthetic biology to build a diversified industrial landscape. MATIC Borotic's successful fundraising sends a clear signal, encouraging more technology-driven enterprises and "hidden unicorns" to accelerate their growth and collectively unleash Changchun's dynamic momentum in core intelligent vehicle technologies.

"We will continue to serve research teams and technology enterprises with dedication, using technological innovation to drive Changchun’s high-quality development", Li said. Going forward, the city will focus on advancing its "3 Transformations, 4 Strengths, and 7 Emerging Industries" modern industrial system. By improving commercialization platforms, establishing third-party proof-of-concept centers, and launching dedicated technology commercialization funds, Changchun aims to build a full-cycle investment matrix and fast-track financing channels — using the spark of innovation to ignite a powerful new engine for high-quality economic growth.

Source: Changchun Daily Convergence Media  Editor: Liu Jiadi