EV venture by Renault-Nissan and Chinese partner

A new joint venture to co-develop and sell electric vehicles (EVs) in China has been announced by the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Chinese state-owned partner Dongfeng Motor Group.

The eGT New Energy Automotive Co will focus on the core competencies of each partner and will harness the full potential of the Renault-Nissan Alliance EV leadership, as well as the resources of Dongfeng in the new energy industry, to meet the expectations of the Chinese market, Renault-Nissan says.

Production of an SUV is planned in 2019.

eGT will design a new EV with intelligent interconnectivity, that will be in line with the expectations of Chinese customers.

“The establishment of the new joint venture with Dongfeng confirms our common commitment to develop competitive electric vehicles for the Chinese market,” Renault-Nissan Alliance chairman and chief executive officer Carlos Ghosn says. “We are confident to meet the expectations of the Chinese customers and to strengthen our global electric vehicle leadership position.”

Dongfeng chairman Zhu Yanfeng says it expects to meet the transformation trend of the market in China; where cars are becoming light, electric, intelligent, interconnected and shared.

Renault and Nissan will each hold 25% of eGT, and Dongfeng the remaining 50%.

The newly formed eGT will be based in the City of Shiyan, Hubei Province in central China.

The EV will be produced at the Dongfeng plant of Shiyan which has a production and sales capacity of 120,000 vehicles annually.