Photo: Ssangyong
SsangYong is gearing up to launch its first electric models, and the first of them to get this transformation is the Tivoli.
The news comes from SsangYong’s UK Boss, Paul Williams, who revealed that the team is already testing prototypes. Along with that news, Mr. Williams also told the Brits at Autocar that the brand is discussing a partnership with a bigger brand, which would have the role of supporting this move.
The first electric models from SsangYong should reach showrooms by 2019 or 2020, the official said. The first of them will probably be the Tivoli, followed by another two models. While Mahindra owns SsangYong, the brand is also considering a partnership with a larger corporation that has not been named.
Mr. Williams told journalists that the company might be interested in collaborating with a brand like BMW, but this might have been just an example, and not an official announcement. While BMW does have a line of electric cars, along with plans to electrify most of its range, a partnership with SsangYong would be a surprise.
The described partnership with another automaker is necessary for SsangYong because of the costs involved in developing an electric drivetrain.
The batteries are among the most expensive components of such a vehicle, and few companies have made their own because of the investment that is required to obtain a product that is superior to those offered by most suppliers in the field.
Another problem with electric cars is the time it takes an automaker to recover the said investment in the development of those products. Because SsangYong is a rather small brand, its sales are not expected to reach a level that will make Evs profitable shortly after their launch, which is a risk that the company is not willing to take.
A collaboration with a larger automaker that has already developed Evs could solve this issue, but the company needs a suitable partner for this endeavor.
The first electric models from SsangYong should reach showrooms by 2019 or 2020, the official said. The first of them will probably be the Tivoli, followed by another two models. While Mahindra owns SsangYong, the brand is also considering a partnership with a larger corporation that has not been named.
Mr. Williams told journalists that the company might be interested in collaborating with a brand like BMW, but this might have been just an example, and not an official announcement. While BMW does have a line of electric cars, along with plans to electrify most of its range, a partnership with SsangYong would be a surprise.
The described partnership with another automaker is necessary for SsangYong because of the costs involved in developing an electric drivetrain.
The batteries are among the most expensive components of such a vehicle, and few companies have made their own because of the investment that is required to obtain a product that is superior to those offered by most suppliers in the field.
Another problem with electric cars is the time it takes an automaker to recover the said investment in the development of those products. Because SsangYong is a rather small brand, its sales are not expected to reach a level that will make Evs profitable shortly after their launch, which is a risk that the company is not willing to take.
A collaboration with a larger automaker that has already developed Evs could solve this issue, but the company needs a suitable partner for this endeavor.
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