"In the revolution driven by the Internet, Aston Martin should learn from ‘the youth’. I think that the auto industry is sometimes a bit conceited, and fresh blood can change and even reverse the existing pattern of the auto industry," said Dr Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin, when referring to the cooperation with LeTV Auto Ltd. (short for LeTV).
Aston Martin and LeTV jointly signed a memorandum of understanding of strategic cooperation on December 3, aiming to launch and promote electric vehicles in virtue of Internet hand in hand. Both sides will carry out a series of cooperation in developing smart vehicles technology and providing advice about manufacturing new electric vehicles.
In April this year, Jia Yueting, CEO of LeTV met Dr Andy Palmer for the first time at the Shanghai auto show to launch research and development projects so as to promote Internet vehicles technology of next generation.
RapidE, the first electric vehicle of Aston Martin carrying car networking system of LeTV , will debut at America International Consumer Electronics Show in January next year. It is reported that this model will be produced at Gaydon of Warwick County where the headquarters of Aston Martin is located.
"Electric vehicles will be an important product portfolio of Aston Martin in the future. We look forward to not only applying our expertise to launch RapidE, but also using our consulting ability to help LeTV manufacture electric vehicles," said Dr Andy Palmer.
In the future, both sides will also launch a feasibility analysis on how to use Aston Martin’s consulting expertise in the field of top manufacturing to help LeTV manufacture electric vehicles.
"Technical cooperation between Young LeTV and Aston Martin who has rich experience in manufacturing high-end automobiles marks that the Internet industry and the auto industry are going through broad and deep converging and change," said Jia Yueting.
