Seat will become a shareholder of the joint venture created by VW Group China and JAC, as well as the Group’s lead brand within the company.
This will pave the way for Seat to not only market its models through the venture to the largest car market in the world but to also participate in establishing an R&D center in China for the development of electric vehicles, connectivity and autonomous driving technologies.
The new R&D center is expected to become operational in 2021, with the venture planning to launch a “competitive” battery electric vehicle platform as well.
“Today will be remembered in the history of the company, as we are entering a new era that will enable us to globalize the brand and boost the development of the electric vehicle,” said Seat President Luca de Meo.
“China offers many opportunities for Seat and we are going to contribute mobility solutions to suit the needs of customers. This is also a chance for us to learn from the future trends that are developing in China,” de Meo added.
Seat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VW Group China and JAC, by way of which the Spanish company teams up with the joint venture, at a ceremony held in Berlin, Germany in the presence of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang.
Under the agreement, Seat targets to introduce its models to the Chinese market in 2020-2021.
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