‘Assembled electric vehicles’ that place frames manufactured by South Korea’s small and medium companies on top of the platform of Renault’s ultra-small electric vehicle called TWIZY are expected to be seen on roads shortly.
Renault Samsung Motors is planning to work on B2B (Business to Business) business by using the platform of ‘TWIZY’, which is the number one selling ultra-small electric vehicle in the world. By doing so, it is opening up the platform to small and medium companies that are trying to be part of electric vehicle markets and allows them to develop their own models. Because TWIZY is a model that is already verified of its marketability in global markets, it is expected that small and medium companies will begin to participate more in electric vehicle markets that have been led by large corporations.
According to electric vehicle industries, Renault Samsung Motors has begun to discuss with an automotive business group, which is located in Chungcheong, regarding a business involving TWIZY’s platform. It is rare when a car platform is sold as a part rather than as a finished product between businesses and consumers.
This is a new type of business attempt that targets the fact that it is easier to develop electric vehicles let alone ultra-small electric vehicles since they do not require even 40% of parts that go into internal combustion locomotives.
This business provides a body frame, which is the foundation for developing electric vehicles, and powertrain such as a battery and an electric motor. Not only a business can develop one to two-seater ultra-small electric vehicles by using this platform but it can also develop three-seater vehicles or special such as ultra-small electric truck. Also it can manufacture air conditioning or heating devices or windows separately depending on climatic environment in South Korea. This business is also useful in attaching an extra battery to increase mileage or planning out a variety of designs such as for agriculture or franchise purposes.
Because Renault’s TWIZY is a verified model that has at least 20,000 cars sold globally and it passed ‘L7’, which is a safety standard in Europe for ultra-small electric vehicles, models that are based on TWIZY’s platform do not have to go through various certifications or test procedures. Not only is this platform useful in developing electric vehicles but it is also useful in helping businesses to enter markets.
“We are currently in a stage of looking into TWIZY platform business due to requests from few companies.” said a representative for Renault Samsung Motors. “Although similar business is being carried out in foreign countries, we cannot introduce any detailed information on South Korean business yet.”
After TWIZY participated in a private supply business early this year, more than 1,200 people preordered TWIZY in just two months. Due to limited supplies, used TWIZYs are being sold at 20 to 30% more on top of its normal price.
On the other hand, it not having any air conditioning or heating devices and windows is considered as its weakness. Due to this reason, quite a few of small and medium companies in South Korea are developing ultra-small electric vehicles that supplement this weakness of TWIZY.
“Due to appearance of electric vehicles, business structures and business methods that are different from previous automotive industries are being expanded.” said a representative of an electric vehicle industry. “Business of selling an automotive platform can happen from other automotive manufacturers besides Renault.”
Staff Reporter Park, Taejoon | gaius@etnews.com