Cao Cao 60

The Cao Cao 60 is the debut offering from Cao Cao Auto, a bespoke ride-hailing EV marque under Geely Holding Group, officially launched in March 2024. Engineered and manufactured under Geely Group's helm with extensive input from Cao Cao Mobility across design, development, deployment, and operations, it is the industry’s first purpose-built EV conceived entirely from the dual viewpoints of both drivers and passengers for ride-hailing duties. In September 2024, the 2024 Cao Cao 60 arrived on the market across three variants, with official retail pricing spanning RM129,800 to RM169,800. Positioned as a strategic pillar in Geely’s shared green mobility ecosystem and billed as a "smart workhorse", it highlights long range, battery-swapping support, high passenger comfort, and low running costs; by June 2024, over 33,000 units had been deployed across 29 cities nationwide, making it the largest purpose-built fleet of its kind in China.

Design Language

The Cao Cao 60 adopts a clean and functional exterior aesthetic, featuring the blanked-off front fascia characteristic of modern EVs. Up front, the broad enclosed nose is sculpted with prominent crease lines to add visual depth; the slim headlamp clusters come with smoked lenses, though the entire 2024 line-up still relies on halogen bulbs, equipped with automatic on/off and follow-me-home delay functions. The lower bumper integrates a trapezoidal air dam with black honeycomb inserts, injecting a touch of sportiness into the front profile.

In profile, sharp character lines blend with a fastback silhouette to yield a remarkably low drag coefficient of 0.24 Cd. Distinct creases accentuate the wheel arches and side sills for added muscularity; the wheels feature an aero-optimised design, although all 2024 variants roll out on steel wheels as standard, leaving alloy rims as an optional extra (RM2,000). In terms of exterior dimensions, it measures 4,640 mm long, 1,870 mm wide, and 1,600 mm tall, with a 2,760 mm wheelbase, placing it squarely in the compact hatchback segment. Around the rear, full-width LED tail lamps, an integrated ducktail bootlid spoiler, and slim fog lamps tucked into the outer edges of the lower bumper give the tail end a well-layered look. Paint choices include standard "Comfort White", with "Speed Silver" available as a RM2,000 cost option. The utilitarian cabin features a two-tone black and grey finish, complete with a flat-bottom steering wheel, a shift-by-wire push-button gear selector, and an integrated digital instrument panel.

Powertrain & Performance

Motive power comes from a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor (code TZ180XSRLB) delivering 120 kW (163 PS) and 240 Nm of torque, driven through a single-speed reduction gear transmission to the front wheels (FWD). Top speed is rated at 150 km/h. Energy is supplied by a Gotion High-tech 50.4 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack featuring a liquid-cooled thermal management system. Under CLTC testing, it delivers an all-electric range of 450 km—a 35 km bump over the 2023 model’s 415 km figure. Rated energy consumption stands at 12.8 kWh/100 km, which translates to a fuel equivalent of 1.49 L/100 km. The vehicle supports both DC fast charging and battery swapping, the latter taking just around 1 minute to swap, practically eliminating range anxiety during commercial shifts. First owners also benefit from an extensive 6-year or 600,000 km battery warranty, tailor-made for high-mileage commercial duties.

Ride & Handling

Underneath, the Cao Cao 60 relies on a familiar setup in this class, pairing front MacPherson struts with a rear torsion beam semi-independent suspension. Steering is managed by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) rack, while braking duties are handled by ventilated discs up front and solid discs at the rear, bolstered by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold. It rides on 215/60 R17 tyres, coming with a tyre repair kit in lieu of a spare tyre. Chassis tuning has been specially honed for private hire services; driver feedback highlights a well-judged brake pedal that minimises front-end dive, alongside settled body control over road humps to keep passenger car sickness at bay. Drive modes are selectable between Eco and Standard/Comfort.

Cabin & Equipment

Tailored specifically for commercial operation, the cockpit features an integrated digital instrument display and a freestanding infotainment touchscreen—measuring 8 inches on base models and 10.25 inches on the range-topping Pro. The dedicated Mobility edition adds pre-wired terminals for a taxi meter and roof-mounted taxi sign, simplifying fleet conversions. In terms of comfort, the seats are trimmed in faux leather, with the driver’s seat getting manual adjustments and ventilation (omitted on the 2024 base model), while the Pro variant gains powered lumbar support for the driver. A standout practical touch: the front seatback can recline fully flat with the rear cushion to create a "bed mode", allowing drivers to take quick rests between bookings. Rear passenger room is generous, with operators noting plenty of knee room even with a child seat installed. A heat pump climate control system is standard-fit across the 2024 range, complete with rear air-con vents for enhanced passenger comfort. In-car entertainment is handled by a standard two-speaker audio setup, backed by USB ports and a 12V auxiliary power socket. Boot space is rated at 500 litres, easily swallowing standard passenger luggage.

Safety & Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the Cao Cao 60 is comprehensively fitted with active electronics including ABS, EBD, Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) across the board. Dual front airbags come standard, while the Pro model can be had with optional front side airbags. A basic tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) with alert warnings is also included. For driver assistance, rear parking sensors and a reverse camera are standard, with Cruise Control reserved for the Pro grade. While higher-spec trims theoretically support active safety upgrades like Door Open Warning and Forward Collision Warning, the 2024 Pro actually saw a mild spec reduction over the 2023 version, losing driver fatigue monitoring, Door Open Warning, Forward Collision Warning, ultrasonic sensors, and the rear passenger display. The driver assistance suite corresponds to Level 1 autonomous capability. While feedback suggests the active systems have helped drivers avoid incidents, complaints have also emerged regarding isolated, severe quality issues involving alleged unintended acceleration leading to collisions.

Market Performance & Reception

As Geely’s flagship play in the shared transport arena, the Cao Cao 60 has maintained strong traction within the ride-hailing industry since its debut, registering 871 units in August 2024 alone. It goes head-to-head with electric compact saloons like the BYD Qin PLUS EV and GAC Aion AION S, but carves out a distinct niche via its bespoke commercial origins—built from the ground up for ride-hailing demands rather than being a converted private passenger car.

Driver sentiment has generally been positive, with high praise directed at the commodious rear legroom, ventilated driver’s seat, and the lie-flat rest setup, all of which significantly ease the strain of long hours behind the wheel. The 450 km range coupled with 1-minute battery swapping boosts daily earning efficiency by eliminating downtime. Lower fleet acquisition barriers, such as direct manufacturer pricing starting from RM119,800 and two-year zero-interest financing plans, have further broadened its appeal. Furthermore, the 6-year/600,000 km EV powertrain warranty offers solid peace of mind on operational overheads, although some drivers have noted noticeable range drop-off in colder weather. However, according to complaints logged on the 12365auto portal, several 2024 models have faced severe scrutiny over alleged instances of unintended acceleration resulting in crashes.

On the whole, the Geely Cao Cao 60 makes a compelling case in the ride-hailing segment, successfully leveraging its 450 km range, battery-swap flexibility, commodious cabin, and extensive commercial warranty. It stands out as an innovative benchmark in marrying ride-hailing platform operations directly with automotive manufacturing, even as long-term build consistency and after-sales support remain subject to ongoing real-world scrutiny.