After putting technology-sharing offers with China’s XPeng and SAIC Motor, Volkswagen Group is now reportedly in talks with one more Chinese language EV maker, Zhejiang Leapmotor Know-how.
In response to a report from Chinese language media outlet Cailian Press picked up by Reuters, Volkswagen is considering shopping for a brand new EV platform from Leapmotor to make use of for automobiles bought below its China-only Jetta model. Jetta is a three way partnership between Volkswagen and Chinese language state-owned automaker FAW Group that does not at the moment promote electrical automobiles.
Leapmotor unveiled on July 31 a brand new electrical automobile platform it developed in-house. CEO Zhu Jiangming stated the corporate wished to license the platform to different automakers and instructed reporters that Leapmotor was in superior talks with two international firms about such a partnership.
He famous that one of many firms is a brand new participant within the electrical automobile section, which may construct Leapmotor-developed fashions in abroad markets. Volkswagen China and Leapmotor declined to touch upon the report about holding cooperation talks.
The Chinese language carmaker stated earlier this week that its new “4 Leaf Clover” structure options an built-in computing platform able to controlling all clever features together with good cockpit features and an EV’s autonomous driving.
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A senior engineer at Leapmotor stated on the platform’s unveiling that the corporate has achieved value financial savings by lowering using controls and wire harnesses, with CEO Zhu saying this might lower the supplies value per automobile by $70 (500 yuan).
Leapmotor is already planning to launch the platform’s subsequent technology in 2025, with the brand new iteration stated to convey enhancements in computing capabilities and good cockpits, in keeping with Zhu.
Leapmotor is backed by buyers together with state-owned Shanghai Electrical Group Corp and Hongshan, previously often known as Sequoia Capital China. The corporate bought 44,500 automobiles within the first half of the yr, down 14 p.c over a yr in the past.
Rumors about Volkswagen holding talks with Leapmotor come after the German big final week introduced a partnership to develop EVs in China based mostly on XPeng’s “Edward” platform on which the EV startup’s G9 flagship SUV is constructed. VW additionally took a 4.99 p.c stake in XPeng price $700 million.
Along with the XPeng deal, Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi reached a take care of SAIC Motor to collectively develop EVs in a section the place the German premium model doesn’t as but have a presence in China.
Volkswagen and XPeng, in addition to Audi and SAIC, additionally agreed to collectively develop new native platforms for the subsequent technology of clever, absolutely linked automobiles (ICV).
