Ricardo has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor Corporation as the companies plan to work together on new products.
The agreement reflects efforts by Chinese ‘independents’ – who don’t work with Western OEMs in joint ventures – to improve their product engineering and vehicle designs.
Great Wall said it aims to deliver a range of products featuring high levels of performance, luxury and technology. Among the first product programmes to benefit from this agreement with Ricardo will be powertrain products including a technology gasoline engine and 6-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT).
The MoU between the companies was signed by chairman Wei Jianjun of Great Wall motor company and CEO of Ricardo, Dave Shemmans.
Jianjun said: “The MoU signed today with Ricardo is an important step for Great Wall in our strategy of developing premium products offering high performance, high luxury and high technology. Ricardo is one of the world’s best known automotive technology development companies, with a long history in engine and transmission design.”
“I am extremely pleased to be able to conclude this MoU with one of China’s best known and leading automotive brands. Great Wall Motor Company is an ambitious organization with an extremely impressive forward development strategy that aims to establish the company with a future line-up of world-class products,” added Shemmans.
See also: COMMENT: Chinese ‘independents’ face tougher times
