November 6, 2023

KG Mobility, BYD To Collaborate On EVs And Hybrids


KG Mobility, the carmaker formerly known as SsangYong is teaming up with Chinese EV leader, BYD to help it develop next-generation Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) systems.

Both automakers held a signing ceremony at BYD’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China.

The decision to expand future collaborations between the two companies was made to build on the successful launch of the Torres EVX.

Under this agreement, KG Mobility will use battery packs engineered by BYD, but produced in Korea. It will be integrated into the Torres EVX and the company’s new battery electric pickup truck. The BEV pickup truck was previewed as the KG eVT Concept (see lead photo) and will enter mass production in the second half of 2024. The battery packs will then be rolled out subsequently on other KG Mobility models.

Before the agreement, researchers from both companies had already begun joint development of the next-generation hybrid system with plans to expand its lineup, starting with a Torres-based hybrid model in 2025.

Additionally, there are plans to concurrently develop plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). In this regard, a restructuring of the research institute was recently completed to bolster electric vehicle development capabilities and ensure success in hybrid development.

KG Mobility says they are committed to the advancement of electric vehicles, which constitutes a pivotal element in the growth strategy of the company. This close technical partnership with BYD aims to secure the company’s continued and sustainable growth.

Chairman Kwak Jae-seon of KG Mobility said: “KG Mobility embarked on a journey of change and development as a mobility company by changing its name last March. We started with the launch of the Torres EVX, aimed at providing safe, affordable, high-performance electric vehicles meeting the needs of our customers.”

He added: “We anticipate that this expanded cooperation with BYD will strengthen our electric vehicle lineup, including the Torres EVX, KR10, and F100, while reorganizing our product range to focus on eco-friendly vehicles. This includes introducing a dedicated electric vehicle platform and launching hybrid products.”

Furthermore, Chairman Jae-seon Kwak said: “KG Mobility’s development direction is evident in the recently released Torres EVX. We received an excellent response from domestic electric vehicle consumers by offering a 10-year, 1 million km battery warranty, the highest in the world.

“We are committed to delivering the utmost safety and assurance to our customers through the application of battery packs produced by KG Mobility in the future,” he continued.

KG Mobility CEO Jeong Yong-won said: “By expanding the line-up of eco-friendly vehicles through cooperation with BYD for the joint development of next-generation hybrids, KG Mobility has laid a strong foundation for more stable growth.”

He concluded: “This collaboration is especially significant as it allows us to secure future competitiveness by ensuring a stable supply of core components and developing new vehicles with cutting-edge electrical/electronic integration technologies.”

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