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Nissan to export China-developed EVs to global markets, plans R&D tie-up with Tsinghua University

  • The Japanese carmaker is considering exporting its line-up of conventional and planned pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars manufactured and developed in China
  • Nissan is setting up a joint R&D centre with Tsinghua University next year, which will focus on EVs, including charging infrastructure and battery recycling

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Nissan is betting big on China, with plans to export electric cars developed and manufactured in the country. Photo: Reuters

Nissan Motor said on Sunday it would sell China-developed electric vehicles (EVs) globally as it struck a deal with the country’s top university to leverage local resources to accelerate research and development on electrification.

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The Japanese carmaker is considering exporting the line-up of existing internal combustion engine vehicles and planned pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars manufactured and developed in China to overseas markets, Masashi Matsuyama, vice-president of Nissan Motor and president of Nissan China, told reporters in Beijing.

Nissan is considering aiming at the same markets as Chinese rivals such as BYD, he said.

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The company is joining foreign brands including Tesla, BMW and Ford that are expanding their exports of China-made cars to exploit the country’s lower manufacturing costs and increase the capacity utilisation of their factories.

Masashi Matsuyama, vice-president of Nissan Motor, announces the establishment of a joint research centre with Tsinghua University, in Beijing, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Masashi Matsuyama, vice-president of Nissan Motor, announces the establishment of a joint research centre with Tsinghua University, in Beijing, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
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