Saab-owner National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) and Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng Motor have signed a joint agreement to develop hybrids and EVs.
In a statement, the two companies said they would work together to ‘enhance Dongfeng’s technical strength’ and ‘improve NEVS’ own development capability’.
Dongfeng will support NEVS with R&D and the construction of new electric and PHEVs in Tianjin, China, as well as helping the Swedish firm to set up a dealership network in the country.
NEVS has already begun work on a factory in the city that will have a potential capacity of 200,000 cars.
NEVS will support Dongfeng outside of China in meeting international regulations and technical specifications, as well as allowing it to sell own-brand cars through its dealership networks, focusing on Europe and North America.
NEVS bought the assets of Saab back in 2012, but has been prevented from using the Saab name since 2014 because of financial difficulties. Dongfeng has a 14% stake in PSA Peugeot Citroën and numerous joint venture agreements with international OEMs.
August 19, 2015