Skateboard Chassis Market 2024–2025: Overseas Retreat Meets Chinese Surge
The global skateboard chassis industry is undergoing a striking shift. Once hailed as the future of vehicle design, the concept is seeing a decline in Western markets but gaining momentum in China. According to the latest “Global and China Skateboard Chassis Industry Report 2024–2025” from ResearchAndMarkets.com, the landscape is now marked by sharp contrasts in regional development, capital interest, and OEM engagement.
What Is a Skateboard Chassis?
A skateboard chassis is a flat, modular vehicle platform that integrates batteries, electric motors, and essential control components into a single compact Report unit. This architecture allows for flexible body styles and faster vehicle development cycles, making it particularly appealing in the era of electric and intelligent mobility.
Its advantages include:
- Highly integrated modular design
- Compatibility with various body configurations
- Faster time-to-market
- Scalability for passenger and commercial vehicles
- Cost savings in R&D and production
Despite these benefits, the global adoption trajectory is far from uniform.
Overseas Setbacks: The Fall of Arrival and Canoo
Once leading advocates for skateboard chassis platforms, Arrival and Canoo exemplify the concept’s faltering momentum in the West.
In January 2024, Arrival received a delisting notice from NASDAQ due to failing financial requirements. One month later, it filed for bankruptcy protection. Its remaining assets were subsequently acquired by none other than Canoo—another startup that had pioneered the skateboard chassis Report with ambitious plans for pickups, delivery vans, and even lunar transport vehicles.
Canoo had established partnerships with big names like NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Postal Service, and Walmart, and delivered working models to several of these entities. However, on January 17, 2025, Canoo also filed for bankruptcy and abruptly ceased all operations.
These exits mark more than the end of two prominent startups. They signify a broader skepticism in Western markets toward the scalability and profitability of skateboard chassis- Report based manufacturing.
China’s Skateboard Chassis Surge
In contrast to the West’s downturn, China is experiencing a skateboard chassis renaissance. With state support, a robust supply chain, and abundant capital, Chinese OEMs are accelerating deployment and innovation in this domain.
As of early 2025, eight Chinese models featuring skateboard chassis Report technology are already in production—primarily light commercial vehicles like logistics vans, light buses, and urban delivery trucks. A few heavy-duty trucks and passenger cars are also exploring the technology, including NIO’s CIIC800V platform, which is planned to incorporate skateboard architecture.
In total, 14 new models using skateboard chassis were unveiled in 2024 alone, and many are scheduled for mass production between 2025 and 2026.
Capital Confidence: RMB 1.6 Billion in Funding
Investors are taking note of this upward trend. From 2023 to early 2025, seven suppliers collectively raised more than RMB 1.6 billion (approx. $220 million USD) across 15 funding rounds. These investments underline growing confidence in skateboard chassis Report as a viable commercial solution, especially in last-mile logistics, autonomous transport, and low-speed urban mobility.
Key investment highlights:
- TEEMO Technology and ECAR Tech: Three funding rounds each between 2023 and 2025, focusing on low-speed autonomous platforms.
- PIX Moving: Closed its Series B1 round in December 2024; Report focuses on modular, autonomous retail and service vehicles.
- SuperPanther and HLONG Technology: Four rounds total; specialize in chassis for commercial applications.
- U Power: Covers a wide range including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and low-speed autonomous platforms; secured two funding rounds.
- ITBOX: Focuses on exclusive mobility platforms for taxis, ride-hailing, and rental fleets; completed two rounds in 2023.
Real-World Deployment: From Resorts to Logistics Hubs
China’s application of skateboard chassis technology is not just theoretical—it’s operational. A growing number of suppliers are rolling out vehicles in real-world environments.
PIX Moving, for instance, partnered with TIS and the Hot Okinawa Research Institute in Japan to deploy autonomous retail vehicles at Kanucha Resort in Okinawa. Their “Robo-Shop” vehicle, equipped with eagle-wing doors and cashless payment systems, Report automatically moves to high-traffic areas to sell snacks and beverages to tourists. The platform is fully autonomous and can adjust its path based on foot traffic analytics.
Meanwhile, TEEMO Technology’s AutoBots-W7 platform is powering Zelos Technology’s urban delivery vehicles. These have been deployed at scale across 20 provinces in China and 100+ cities worldwide. Use cases include everything from fresh grocery delivery to cold chain and parcel distribution. Zelos has partnered with major logistics providers such as SF Express, China Post, YTO, ZTO, and STO.
Why the Divergence?
Several key factors explain why the skateboard chassis model is losing steam in the West but thriving in China:
| Factor | Western Markets | Chinese Market |
|---|---|---|
| NEV Penetration | Moderate | High |
| Policy Support | Weak or inconsistent | Strong, with subsidies and incentives |
| Supply Chain | Fragmented, expensive | Mature and cost-efficient |
| Investor Confidence | Dwindling | High and growing |
| Tech Ecosystem | Focused on legacy OEMs | Startups and tech-driven OEMs thrive |
Key Players and Future Outlook
The report identifies a comprehensive list of OEMs and suppliers shaping the future of skateboard chassis technology.
Leading OEMs and their involvement:
- Rivian – U.S. EV startup with early ambitions in modular platforms
- Dongfeng Motor, Foton, Sany Heavy Industry, Changan Kaicene, and others – actively developing chassis-based LCVs
- NIO and Neta Auto – exploring passenger car applications
Prominent suppliers include:
- REE (Israel) – formerly a Western leader, now facing slower traction
- CATL – battery powerhouse integrating with chassis architecture
- U Power, PIX Moving, SuperPanther, TEEMO Technology, HLONG Technology, and ITBOX
Development Trends and Future Scenarios
Looking ahead, the skateboard chassis model is expected to expand its use in the following scenarios:
- Autonomous urban delivery
- Smart public transport
- Sanitation and cleaning robots
- Retail-on-wheels and mobile vending
- Specialty ride-hailing and taxi fleets
The architecture’s compatibility with x-by-wire systems, hub motors, integrated die casting, and software-defined vehicle architecture make it well-suited for the intelligent, electrified vehicle future.
While Western skepticism remains, China is forging ahead, potentially setting the global standard for how skateboard chassis technology is developed, scaled, and monetized.
With strong state support, enthusiastic investors, and real-world deployment, China’s skateboard chassis segment is no longer just emerging—it’s surging. Whether the West will catch up, pivot, or abandon the concept altogether remains to be seen. But for now, the road ahead is being paved in China.
