LeEco and luxury sports car brand Aston Martin today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the RapidE.

Leading global technology company LeEco and luxury sports car brand Aston Martin today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) towards the creation of a partnership that will develop a production version of the Aston Martin RapidE electric vehicle concept.  

It is anticipated that the partnership will see the two companies working together in developing and manufacturing RapidE, with potential for adding a range of next-generation connected electric vehicles on behalf of Aston Martin, LeEco and Faraday Future.

This new signing extends the existing collaboration between the two companies.  In January 2016, LeEco and Aston Martin revealed the first results of their partnership – an Aston Martin Rapide S incorporating the latest Letv Internet of the Vehicle (IOV) system. 

The second area of the partnership – the development of low-emission vehicle technologies – has been accelerated as they have developed their respective plans for launching a range of new electric vehicles during the second half of the decade. 

The first model developed by this partnership will be the Aston Martin RapidE. The Aston Martin RapidE concept was created to explore how the company can take an existing production vehicle and create an all-electric sports sedan. 

Since the creation of this concept vehicle, Aston Martin and Letv have been advancing the work on production feasibility including the identification of technology solutions for battery systems and powertrain. Both companies are now focused on bringing the RapidE to market in 2018 utilising the best technologies from the companies’ portfolios.

Commenting on the signing of the MOU, Mr. Ding Lei, co-founder and global vice chairman of SEE Plan, said, “Signing of this MOU ushers a new phase of the collaborations between Aston Martin and LeEco. LeEco’s SEE Plan is dedicated to build electric, smart, connected and socialized cars. 

We have been targeting the highest standard in the auto industry in terms of design, R&D and manufacturing of our electric cars. We hope that, by strengthening collaborations with Aston Martin, our future models will provide premium qualities and delicate arts and crafts as good as those of Aston Martin.”

Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “Aston Martin are dedicated to developing a range of cars with low emission technologies.  We have been encouraged by the project speed and technical depth shown by Letv in the development of the RapidE concept towards full production. Bringing the RapidE to market by 2018 is an important milestone for both companies.” 

CES 2016 - Aston martin and Letv signed a memorandum of understanding to develop technological projects.

Leading global technology company Letv and luxury sports car brand Aston Martin today revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show the first results of their collaboration – an Aston Martin Rapide S incorporating the latest Letv Internet of the Vehicle (IOV) system.

Aston Martin and Letv signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on December 3rd 2015 to confirm research projects that include the development of connected electric vehicles through to manufacturing consultation on future electric vehicles.

The ideation and engineering of the Aston Martin Rapide S project has been led by the Letv IOV team and has focused on a new concept for the centre console and instrument panel.  

The center console is now a 13.3 inch HD touch screen and the instrument panel is now a 12.2 inch screen incorporating electronic instrumentation and gauges. The original human-machine interaction (HMI) has also been updated by integrating Letvs latest speech recognition technology.

Letv first showed its Autolink system in November 2015, the first time the technology company had released a product specifically developed for automotive applications. 

The collaboration with Aston Martin on the Rapide S further demonstrates the capabilities of the Letv global open auto eco-system. The Aston Martin Rapide S concept has been engineered to work with Letvs other devices and will include remote monitoring and services with the support of LeCloud through the vehicles Wi-Fi system.

Commenting on the significance of the reveal, Ding Lei, co-founder, global vice chairman and China and Asia Pacific CEO of Letv Super Car, said, “After a few months ‘efforts, we finished the integration of an Aston Martin vehicle and the Letv IOV system. We have successfully equipped this supercar brand with over 100 years of history with an ‘Internet brain’.”

Commenting on the project, Dr. Andrew Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin said: “Aston Martin is renowned for the beauty and quality of its hand-crafted cars. The integration of Letv advanced connected technologies into this bespoke environment is a natural progression as we look to the future demands of our customers”.

SOUTH AFRICA - Nissan & BMW combine for the expansion of EV Infrastructure.

• Nissan and BMW have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
• The partnership will promote the sharing of know-how and the joint development of a charging network for electric vehicles
• The charging points will power electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid-electric (PHEV)

Nissan and BMW have confirmed today the start of a partnership, to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid-electric (PHEV) in South Africa.

Nissan South Africa (NSA) and the BMW Group (BMW SA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the design and the joint construction of a national network of charging stations for EV and PHEV, designed for Nissan and BMW vehicles.

"The launch of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF, which took place in South Africa in 2013, was born from the global desire of Nissan to promote sustainable mobility and expand the market of zero-emission vehicles. 

In this direction we are convinced that the partnership with BMW SA represents a solid investment to create an automotive industry future-proof co-operational deal, "said Mike Whitfield, Managing Director of Nissan South Africa .

Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW South Africa, believes that the key to the future success of electric vehicles is a strong collaboration across the whole sector. 

"The launch of the BMW i3 and i8 has had an excellent response. A key imperative of our strategy is to ensure the implementation of the necessary infrastructure, in order to increase customer confidence in the effective usability of electric vehicles. 

In order for the introduction and the use of electric vehicles and hybrid-electric plug-in that they have genuine success in the market place, it is essential to work side by side: our partnership with Nissan is the first step in this direction."

The agreement between BMW SA and Nissan SA provides for the deployment of charging stations fast direct current (DC), comply with the standards both in the Combined Charging System 2 (CCS2), used for the electric and hybrid-electric plug -in BMW, both for the system Charge de Move (CHAdeMO), present in the car instead of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF.

In some regions, the national network of charging stations will also integrate shippers smaller alternating current (AC).

Under the agreement just signed, these chargers are equipped with sockets type 2, through which you can connect the EV and PHEV.

Plan and build a national infrastructure for charging electric vehicles involves a huge commitment; Once ready, the network will be managed by a special joint team, comprised of executives from both automakers.

"By sharing expertise, ideas and issues, BMW and Nissan will contribute to accelerate the deployment and adoption of EVs and PHEVs, for the benefit of the entire automotive industry. 

The two companies have shown a similar approach in the implementation of the charging network, as already realized in the creation of their electric vehicles traits futuristic, "This is the opinion of Mike Schüssler , chief economist Economist.co.zaand experienced automotive market.

BMW SA has presented its models EV and PHEV (BMW i3 and BMW i8) in March this year: both cars have been welcomed around the world, thanks to innovative technologies and emissions of carbon dioxide. In 2014, the BMW i3 was named "Green Car of the Year" by Green Car Journal, while in 2015 the BMW i8 was voted "World Green Car of the Year".

Nissan has started the initiative "zero emissions" in 2010 with the launch of the Nissan LEAF, the world's first EV produced on a large scale: thanks to its innovative design, the modern battery technology and the crucial role in creating a market for vehicles 100% electric LEAF in 2011 won the title of "World Car of the Year".Arrived in South Africa in 2013, today the 100% electric car LEAF has over 175,000 units sold worldwide.

The agreement between BMW SA and Nissan SA is effective immediately and is valid until 2017.

Translated from Italian