Premium carmaker Infiniti's China head, Daniel Kirchert, is reportedly resigning this week to join a start-up smart electric car venture backed by Internet giant Tencent Holdings and Foxconn Technology Group.

A report in China Daily says it is being seen as a very high-profile move in the Chinese auto industry as Infiniti is a strong performer there.

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Last year Chinese internet giant Tencent and Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group, a major Apple supplier, announced plans to make a "smart electric car".

Foxconn is best known as the subcontractor that assembles Apple's iPhone. Foxconn CEO Terry Gou has said that the company needs to move into other technology sectors, including robotics and electric vehicles. Tencent runs China's largest messaging services, in addition to a other web-based services including cloud computing.

Reports says the companies will likely manufacture the cars in Zhengzhou, where Foxconn has one of its largest facilities.

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