According to the "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" reported on July 19, Japanese robot manufacturer Yaskawa Electric will cooperate with China's Chery Automobile on production and sales of pure electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing equipment。Yaskawa Electric announced on July 18 that its Chinese subsidiary had reached an agreement to make a small investment in Chery's Anhui Ruixiang Industry unit。By joining forces with "system integrator" Ruixiang Industries, Yaskawa Electric will sell robots and motors in the Chinese market。Ruixiang also supplies equipment to automakers other than Chery。

Details of the investment were not made public, and whether Yaskawa Electric sent directors to Ruixiang Industrial was not discussed。Ruixiang Industrial has advantages in the automation technology of using robots in processes such as body welding。

Yaskawa Electric is also preparing for mass production of motors and drive systems for pure electric vehicles through a joint venture with Chery Automobile in China。Through this investment, Yaskawa Electric will gain a foothold in the Chinese market in basic components and production equipment for pure electric vehicles。

There is a growing trend to use high-strength steel plates and carbon fiber reinforced resins (CFRP) for light weight in the body of pure electric vehicles, which requires different welding procedures than in the past。Yaskawa also plans to join forces with Chinese companies to take advantage of the experience of the new production facilities and sales channels。

Yaskawa has previously cooperated with Midea Group in mass production technology and care products, and established a joint venture with contract manufacturer Shenzhen Changying Precision Technology in the smartphone sector。Hiroshi Ogasawara, president of Yaskawa Electric, said, We can learn about the latest technological trends by cooperating with large local companies in China, a major producer country.。