An AC Propulsion-Yulon EV Update, Of Sorts

An AC Propulsion-Yulon EV Update, Of Sorts

We finally tracked down AC Propulsion prexy Tom Gage to ask a few questions about his company's just-announced electric car development deal with Taiwanese automotive-financial-construction conglomerate Yulon Group.

Unfortunately, the normally loquacious Gage had little to add to the bare-bones statement issued this morning.

Yulon is licensing AC Propulsion's electric powertrain technology for a new "homegrown" car, and also will contact with AC for development of the electric vehicle, Gage said.

The car will be a battery-electric version of a conventional gasoline-burning passenger car Yulon plans to introduce in the Taiwanese market early next year, he said, adding that there is no timetable yet (at least none he could publicly disclose) as to when the EV version of the car might appear.

Gage wouldn't disclose the value of the deal, saying that it is based partly on still-amorphous  vehicle production numbers.

He also said he's barred under terms of the agreement from discussing design and technical aspects of the new vehicle, which will be the first that Yulon develops and builds itself. To date, the company has manufactured cars, SUVs and light trucks under contract to other, major, automakers including Nissan and Mitsubishi.

Gage said Yulon pans to launch its car -- gas and electric versions -- in Taiwan but has a global expansion plans that aims at spreading through China and developing nations first.

"The established markets, in the U.S., Europe and Japan, are last on its list," he said.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.