Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Yinbin Cowin Automobile Co.,Ltd, formerly known as Wuhu Cowin Automobile Co.,Ltd, has been approved by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to produce both fuel-burning PVs and all-electric cars, according to a statement the MIIT released on January 14.

The governmental announcement indicates that Cowin Auto became the first complete vehicle manufacturer qualified to produce cars, SUVs and MPVs in Sichuan Province.

(Photo source: Cowin Auto)

Cowin Auto was previously a sub-brand wholly owned by Chery Automobile. Its location was moved to Yibin of Sichuan Province in early 2019 from Wuhu of Anhui Province after Yibin Automobile Industry Investment Co.,Ltd and Sichuan Yibin Push Group Co., Ltd. (Push Group) acquired 51% stake in Cowin Auto.

Interestingly, Push Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wuliangye Group, a famous Chinese alcoholic beverage company. Thus, there was a rumor airing then which said the renowned liquor enterprise would do crossover for car building business.

Cowin Auto has to-day set up a manufacturing base and R&D facilities at the new home. In January 2019, the automaker saw the first Yinbi-built mass-produced vehicle, the Cowin X5, roll off the production line, signaling that it has obtained the capability to produce vehicles independently.

The license of fossil fuel-powered vehicle and BEV production is critical to the carmaker's market expansion. Based on the new platform and assembly lines, Cowin Auto has re-planned its car, SUV and MPV lineups, and is reportedly to roll out seven new models, including three SUV models, two car models and two MPVs. Of that, theXuanjie compact SUV is set to hit the market in the first quarter of 2020.

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