Qingyuan in talks with Daimler to make electric van

Chinese electric car maker Tianjin Qingyuan is in talks with Daimler AG to develop an electric version of a van made at the German automaker's joint venture in southeast China's Fujian province, Reuters reported.

As the first Chinese company that has sold more than 2,000 self-made electric vehicles in the U.S., Tianjin Qingyuan Electric Vehicle Co is seeking to team up with big domestic and foreign automakers in expanding the booming green car business.

"Qingyuan not only wants to make electric cars itself but also hopes to become a major supplier of key components for big auto groups in the electric car business," a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Qingyuan is having discussions with Daimler to develop the electric version of a commercial vehicle produced at Fujian Daimler Auto for the China market, but nothing has been finalized, said the source.

Meanwhile, Qingyuan is also exploring cooperative opportunities in the green car business with Beijing Hyundai, a car venture between Hyundai Motor and Beijing Auto.

Chery Auto and several other Chinese carmakers are also among Qingyuan's potential partners, said the source.

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