Automotive Exports August 2023

Chinese EV Skywell maker agrees deal to
build Türkiye battery plant
China’s technology company Skyworth has
reached an investment agreement with a
Turkish group to build a battery factory in
Türkiye, a statement said.
The manufacturer of the Skywell electric
vehicle (EV) brand, Skyworth said the
deal was reached with Ulubaşlar Group to
develop and produce batteries, without
disclosing the location of the factory.
The companies will invest $25 million each
in the plant that is planned to be opened
by the first quarter of 2024, the statement
said.
The factory will manufacture batteries
featuring 800V+4C super-fast charging
technology architecture. This will enable a
charging power to increase from 120 kW
to 480 kW, allowing the vehicles to charge
80% in eight minutes, according to the
statement.
“The battery is a key element in the
transformation of the automotive market,
and producing this technology here will
provide Türkiye with important capabilities
and will make significant contributions to
the economy of our country,” said Mahmut
Ulubaş, CEO of Skywell Türkiye.
Ulubaş also stressed on the impact the
investment would have on employment
and exports.
Among others, the Chinese company could
also launch production of Skywell’s new
models that are planned to be launched on
the market within three years in Türkiye,
said Ulubaş.
Ulubaşlar Group’s subsidiary Ulu Motor is a
distributor of Skywell operating in Türkiye
and 15 other countries.
Ulubaş’s remarks were echoed by Wu
Longba, co-founder and CEO of Skywell,
who stressed the company’s close
cooperation with Ulu Motor and also noted
the plans to establish an assembly line in
the country.
“We will initiate feasibility studies for this
collaboration (battery factory) as soon as
possible, which will be a significant turning
point in Türkiye-China relations. We are
very enthusiastic about this partnership,”
he noted.
“Moreover, we plan to establish a vehicle
production line, bring spare parts supply
system to Türkiye, and manufacture certain
components here,” he said.
“We anticipate various future business
partnerships with Ulu Motor throughout
these processes. Our objective is to
contribute to the development of Türkiye’s
new energy vehicle industry technology
and capacity.”
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