Hyperdrive
Magna Strikes Deal to Build Electric Vehicles in China With BJEV
- Venture will create Magna’s second vehicle manufacturing plant
- Factory in Zhenjiang plans to produce vehicles by 2020
A technician handles electronic components at the Magna International Inc. office in Holly, Michigan.
Photographer: Graham Walzer/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Magna International Inc. plans to engineer and build electric vehicles in China, marking the first time North America’s largest auto supplier is expanding its car manufacturing capabilities beyond its 20-year-old Steyr venture.
The Aurora, Ontario-based company is forming two joint ventures with China’s largest EV maker, Beijing Electric Vehicle Co., known as BJEV. The engineering and manufacturing ventures are set to take over an existing factory in Zhenjiang with the intention of producing vehicles by 2020, Magna said in a statement Monday. Bloomberg News reported in February that Magna was in talks with BJEV’s parent for an EV pact.