Juneyao Group, owner of Chinese carrier Juneyao Airlines, plans to diversify away from the Covid-troubled aviation sector into the booming electric vehicles (EV) market, two sources said.
Juneyao, owned by Chinese billionaire Wang Junjin and family members, has set up a team to explore EV making plans, according to sources who declined to be named.
The plans are still at a preliminary stage, they added, but it would allow the Shanghai-based Juneyao to tap into a booming market that has been aided by generous government subsidies and tax exemptions.
Juneyao did not reply to a request for comment.
Sales of EVs, including pure-electric and plug-in hybrids, accounted for 22% of total auto sales in the first seven months of the year, according to Chinese industry data, the highest proportion among major global markets.
Established local brands Nio, Xpeng and Li Auto compete fiercely against foreign players such as Tesla in the world’s largest EV market, but Juneyao would join a growing list of high-profile Chinese companies with little or no automotive experience that are rushing into the sector.
Property group Evergrande, smartphone maker Xiaomi and search engine giant Baidu have started making EVs in line with a government plan to lead the world’s auto industry in electrification and automation.
Juneyao on July 20 registered a company with 1 billion yuan ($146.2 million) of capital for businesses including EV sales, auto parts research and development and EV charging infrastructure operations, according to Qichacha, an information provider that uses official company registration sources.
An investment firm controlled by Wang Han, son of the late Juneyao co-founder Wang Junyao, is also a majority shareholder of Yudo Auto, a Fujian-based EV maker, according to Qichacha. Chinese media reported that Yudo Auto’s shareholding change showed up in official records on June 24.