Daimler and BYD EV with a New Concept Model

Joint venture partners Daimler AG and BYD Auto revealed plans today to preview their upcoming dedicated electric-car for China with a new design concept at the next Beijing Auto Show in April of 2012.

Last year, the two companies formed a 50-50 joint R&D venture called "Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd" or "BDNT" for short, to create a new brand that will focus on the development of pure electric vehicles for China.

Mercedes-Benz's parent company said that in addition to showing the concept car which previews the production model's exterior and interior design, BDNT would also use the show to reveal the brand’s identity, including its name, logo and positioning in the Chinese car market.

As for the actual production model, Daimler said that work on the first prototypes has already begun with the target to have them running by springtime next year.