Letv has its hands in various consumer electronics markets, but an EV would be a first for the organization. An official statement declares that the new partnership means “the two companies will be working together on research projects ranging from connected car technologies through to manufacturing consultation on new electric vehicles.”
The world could see the first fruits of this collaboration as soon as next month’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where Aston Martin will showcase its Rapide S connected car concept in Las Vegas. Competing in part with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Letv launched its LeUI for Auto system that combines voice control, navigation, music streaming, online radio, and roadside assistance. There’s a fair chance this new interface will find its way into Aston’s CES concept.
Letv has already put pieces in motion on its own EV production company, the Leshi Super Electric Car Company, by appointing a vice president and releasing teaser design images of what will apparently be Aston Martin’s product. The concept form is scheduled to be revealed at the Beijing Motor Show in April of next year.
As to how this new collaboration will fit in with Aston Martin’s own plans to build an electric Rapide (RapidE), that’s still unclear. What we do know is that the U.K. automaker plans to put its EV model on sale in two years, complete with Letv’s connected car tech. With both models in the works, a new production plant will be built to offset work at Aston’s Gaydon, U.K. headquarters.
Interestingly, Letv isn’t just teaming up with Aston Martin on EV’s as it’s reported to have also invested in the new Las Vegas-based startup Faraday Future.
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