The Nissan-Renault alliance has announced a joint collaboration with Chinese automaker Dongfeng. The partnership, which will be named eGT New Energy Automotive, will aim to use the strengths of each partner to produce EVs for the Chinese market.
In joint development, the alliance and Dongfeng will produce an all-new EV on the A-segment SUV platform, equipped with intelligent interconnectivity.
Zhu Yanfeng, chairman of Dongfeng, spoke to the media about his vision for the partnership. “We expect to meet the transformation trend of the market in China; where cars are becoming light, electric, intelligent, and interconnected. This is also testimony of a deepened and strengthened strategic cooperation between the three parties.”
The agreement that was signed earlier this week, will see Renault hold 25% of eGT, Nissan 25 percent and Dongfeng the remaining 50%.
eGT will use the established EV technologies developed by Nissan and Renault in combination with the manufacturing potential of Dongfeng.
The newly formed collaboration will be based in the Dongfeng plant in the City of Shiyan, which can produce 120,000 vehicles a year. The forecast production date for the flagship EV is 2019.
“The establishment of the new joint venture with Dongfeng confirms our common commitment to develop competitive electric vehicles for the Chinese market,” said Carlos Ghosn, chairman of the Renault-Nissan alliance “We are confident to meet the expectations of the Chinese customers and to strengthen our global EV leadership position.”
This announcement underlines the companies’ commitment to minimizing environmental impact, with a view to future zero-emission mobility.