SsangYong To Launch Electric Models By 2019 Or 2020

#SsangYong is planning a number of electric #models to launch by the end of the decade, according to its #UK boss, Paul Williams.

The company’s plan for EVs hasn’t been finalized yet but Williams told Autocar that it may forge a partnership with another brand that can supply the South Korean automaker with the batteries it requires. So far, SsangYong has reached the point of starting to test all-electric Tivoli prototypes.

“When you’re small, you can’t afford to take those risks [associated with investment in EV tech],” said Williams. “Nissan and Renault have invested a lot, for example, but had to wait a long time to see a return. SsangYong could tie up with another brand like BMW.”

In all probability, SsangYong will initially launch electric variants of its existing models rather than making ground-up EVs, like Volkswagen is planning to do. Among future models that could receive electrification include a production version of the Nissan Qashqai-rivalling SIV-2 concept.