Magna BAIC copyChina - The supplier has announced that it is helping BAIC create a new smart electric vehicle (EV) architecture. It will be designed specifically for the Chinese market, which is currently the leading market for electrified vehicles with around 700,000 sold in 2017.

"We are proud to develop the next generation of advanced smart EV architecture together with BAIC," commented Günther Apfalter, president of Magna Europe & Magna Steyr. "This is a further big step forward for Magna in vehicle electrification for the Chinese market."

BAIC selected Magna as a partner due to the company's expertise in vehicle manufacturing, engineering, and its portfolio of lightweight vehicle solutions. The supplier also has experience in partnering with other OEMs to make EVs, such as Jaguar and its I-Pace SUV, which is currently built at Magna's plant in Graz, Austria.

Magna also recently signed an agreement with the Vietnamese car manufacturer VinFast to development a new SUV and sedan.