China's Youngman signs JV deal with American ZAP for hybrids

The company announcement said recently that the two sides "have signed a joint venture agreement to manufacture, market and distribute electric and hybrid vehicles, like the ZAP-X crossover SUV, for the passenger vehicle market. "

The new joint venture company will also focus on the development and manufacturing of electric charging infrastructure, the company said.

According to the announcement, Youngman Auto will responsible for vehicle manufacturing process in the joint venture while ZAP will take charge of sales and marketing business.

China's Youngman is now a private holding company with 12 subsidiaries. Youngman's partnership with Germany's NEOPLAN controls more than 70 percent of the luxury motor coach market in China.

Youngman is also the supplier to NEOPLAN and MAN, two of Europe's top brands for luxury motor coaches and high-quality commercial trucking.

The company's portfolio of products includes luxury motor coaches, inter-urbans, city and airport buses as well as premium commercial trucks for long distance, local distribution, heavy-duty building and special services

USA electric car pioneer ZAP (Zero Airo Pollution) distributes electric scooters, ATVs, motorcycles, cars, trucks worldwide. Based in Santa Rosa, California, USA, the company has marketed and sold 100,000 electric vehicles since 1994.

The company has completed a feasibility study in May 2007 with Lotus Engineering to develop a new generation of commercially viable electric vehicles.