(Yicai Global) Jan. 19 -- Chinese carmaker Geely Holding Group will work with partner and internet giant Tencent Holdings on smart cockpits, autonomous driving and digital marketing.

The two companies will make next-generation smart cockpits and build connections between smartphones and automobiles relying on Tencent’s mobile internet strengths to provide better services, Hangzhou-based Geely said via WeChat today.

Tencent owns WeChat, a social networking app that has become ubiquitous in China, and is the world’s largest mobile gaming company and online music services provider.

The pair will also cooperate on a virtual simulation platform for autonomous driving to speed up development of self-driving products and promote related standards and regulations, Geely added.

Geely and Shenzhen-based Tencent have had good results since their partnership was forged in 2018, Tang Daosheng, Tencent’s senior executive vice president, said at the signing ceremony.

They participated in setting up the high-speed rail network firm China Railway Gecent Technology in 2018. Tencent's internet of vehicles services platform has also been used in some of Geely’s vehicles.

Geely announced on Nov. 11 it would form a smart electric vehicle firm with the search engine giant Baidu and two days later it set up a joint venture with Taiwan-based Foxconn to provide customized services for global automakers.

Editor: Tom Litting