German automaker Volkswagen and Chinese automaker BYD have agreed in principal on a partnership to develop electric and hybrid vehicles. The two companies have been in discussions for several months, culminating with a signed "memorandum of understanding" between BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu and VW chair Dr. Martin Winterkorn.
The signing took place in Germany after a series of meetings between company representatives last week. During the company visit, VW demonstrated many of their technologies to a BYD delegation. Volkswagen Technical Development exec Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg led many of the talks on topics like the Golf twinDrive, and a VW electric vehicle prototype.
"Volkswagen will consistently expand its successful ‘BlueMotionTechnologies'. Hybrids and electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role, of course," said Dr. Hackenberg. "Particularly for the Chinese market, potential partners such as BYD could support us in quickly expanding our activities."
BYD is no stranger to electric vehicles. The company launched their plug-in hybrid F3DM at the end of 2008, the first in a series of three electric-based vehicles. Their F3DM has an all-electric range of 100km. Meanwhile, their midsize F6 sedan-based electric, the F6DM uses iron-phosphate batteries that take a 70% charge in just ten minutes. BYD Auto's parent company produces 65% of all nickel-cadmium batteries used worldwide, and 30% of all lithium-ion batteries used in mobile phones.
Volkswagen and BYD explore hybrid and electric vehicles partnership
By Zack Newmark
May 26, 2009 3:20 PM
Filed Under: Asian, Electric Vehicle, German, Hybrid, Volkswagen
Press Release (Click to expand)
Volkswagen and BYD sign memorandum of understanding
Partnership in the area of electric mobility to be explored
During an informational visit by the Chinese carmaker BYD "Build Your Dreams" - led by the Chairman of the Board of Management, Wang Chuanfu - a memorandum of understanding was signed last week by Mr Wang and Dr Winterkorn.
Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board for Technical Development at Volkswagen, insisted on personally providing the delegation of Chinese top managers with information. The visit, which took place first at the Elektrotraktion Technology Centre in Isenbüttel and then at the test tracks in Wolfsburg, featured technical discussions and test drives with a variety of vehicles such as the Golf twinDrive and the prototype for an electric vehicle. "Volkswagen will consistently expand its successful ‘BlueMotionTechnologies'. Hybrids and electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role, of course. Particularly for the Chinese market, potential partners such as BYD could support us in quickly expanding our activities," emphasised Dr Hackenberg.
Afterwards, the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, Dr Martin Winterkorn, and the Chairman of the Board of Management of BYD, Wang Chuanfu, signed a memorandum of understanding. The objective of signing a memorandum of understanding between Volkswagen and BYD is to explore the options for partnership in the area of hybrids and electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries.
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HEMI426
May 26, 2009 3:43 PM
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May 26, 2009 4:34 PM
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May 26, 2009 10:56 PM
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