Zotye Automobile, that is partnered in China with American automaker Ford Motor, stated on Tuesday it planned to start selling SUVs in the United States in 2020.
A Zotye spokesman stated Ford is uninvolved in the Chinese automaker’s U.S. distribution strategies.
Ford has not commented yet.
In China, Ford had tapped Zotye to offer lower-priced electric vehicles to some of its dealers in the country.
According to Reuters, Zotye spokesman Chris Hosford stated in an email: “There is no current plan for Zotye USA to sell EVs in the U.S. market.”
Zotye is setting up a U.S. sales and distribution arm in Lake Forest, California, and prepares to sell vehicles in the United States via franchised dealers.
Zotye USA is owned by HAAH Automotive Holdings, which is led by former Mazda and Volvo executive Duke Hale.
