Baidu Inc, the Chinese internet search giant, announced on Monday that it would form a smart electric vehicle company in strategic partnership with automaker Geely.

The two companies will have tight cooperation in car manufacturing based on Geely's EV-focused platform, Sustainable Experience Architecture, for future product development.

Baidu's new EV firm will maintain its own operations, independent from its parent company.

Baidu also said the auto company will focus on the whole-industry chain of smart car development, including design, manufacturing and sales, by integrating its Apollo platform with autonomous driving technology.