BMW and its Chinese partner Brilliance will launch a new brand in China in a bid to tap the nation’s fledgling electric car market.
The first Zinoro electric vehicle will make its debut in November at the Guangzhou Auto Show and go on sale in the first quarter of 2014.
The first Zinoro production model is expected to be an all-electric vehicle based on the X1 SUV.
Zinoro cars will be built at the BMW joint venture which produces the 3, 5 and X1 in the northeastern city of Shenyang.
BMW will also introduce the i3 electric car under its wholly owned i sub-brand, to China – through imports.
The introduction of Zinoro brand follows the launch of the Denza electric car brand from Mercedes-Benz and partner BYD as well the Venucia from Nissan and Dongfeng.