Geely, Detroit Electric to Develop EV Sedan

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. and Detroit Electric Inc. have agreed to develop an electric version of Geely's Emgrand EC7 sedan and introduce it in China a year from now.

The partners aim for first-year sales of 3,000 units, mostly to businesses and government agencies. They hope for annual volume of 30,000 vehicles by 2016.

The companies predict the electrified EC7 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds, reach a top speed of 124 mph and be able to cruise 100 miles or 160 miles per charge, depending upon battery choice.

The car will be propelled by a variant of the powertrain Detroit Electric plans to use in its first vehicle, the $135,000 SP:01 sports car scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in August. That car will be powered by an electric motor that produces 201 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque.

Geely and Detroit Electric say they have been discussing their joint EV project for three years. The companies have formed a joint development team to work on the powertrain and say they have set up an unidentified joint venture in China to make components for the electric EC7.