It seems that it’s a new trend in motoring for auto manufacturers to join forces on green cars – and now you can add another partnership to the list.
BYD Company Limited and Daimler AG have signed a contract to create a 50:50 research and technology joint venture entitled Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co Ltd. The new venture will develop an electric vehicle for the Chinese market with around €72million to be invested.
The new electric vehicles are expected to capitalise on Daimler’s know-how in the market having recently launched the Smart Fortwo electric drive and with plans for two Mercedes-Benz electric cars – the B-Class F-CELL with fuel cell technology; and the battery electric A-Class E-CELL. It will also capitalise on BYD’s expertise in battery technology with Wang Chuangu, the chairman and president of BYD Company Limited, stating the partnership will be a unique and exciting initiative to bring this new electric vehicle to market as soon as possible.
Dr Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG, backed these comments stating that the joint venture is well positioned to make the most of the vast potential for electric mobility in China.
The two signed the joint venture contract in Beijing with engineers, designers and other executives establishing working teams after the signing to begin work on the vehicle concept.
