British electric vehicle (EV) technology provider Spark has appointed us to help it expand in China – the world’s biggest automotive and EV market – based on our specialism in East Asia’s booming automotive sector.
Spark EV Technology has developed cutting-edge, intelligent range prediction software to address the ‘range anxiety’ which is deterring many people from buying electric vehicles.
This is based on AI algorithms that provide journey predictions which are up to ten times more precise than the often-erratic existing in-vehicle systems. Supporting electric vehicles of all sizes from bikes to cars, vans and trucks, its algorithms learn about each user’s driving habits and use real-time map, traffic and weather data to ensure all predictions are fully personalised.
The firm has completed advanced trials with leading OEMs including Honda and Hyundai. It has undertaken more than 40,000 km of real-world tests across a wide range of vehicles, terrains and driving styles.
Unsurprisingly, the company has its sights on the world’s largest EV market to accelerate its expansion. Almost 330,000 electric vehicles were sold in the first half of this year in China and, to encourage further growth, Beijing has extended national subsidies for EVs until at least 2022.
Our Shanghai team’s role is to ramp up Spark’s commercial success in China. We’ll draw on our deep connections in the automotive sector to open doors, demo the firm’s technology, secure paid evaluations and get licence deals for Spark’s software. We’ll also be managing Spark’s existing China discussions.
We’ll be engaging decision makers across the EV ecosystem including established Chinese OEMs like BYD, Geely and Chery, new domestic brands like Nio and WM, SOEs (state-owned enterprises), Sino-foreign joint ventures and tier-1 infotainment head unit suppliers.
Spark’s CEO, Justin Ott, explains: “China’s a vital target due to the sheer size of the EV market, the rising number of domestic brands with global aspirations and a critical mass of Sino-foreign JVs conducting advanced R&D. And we already had several hot prospects in the country that needed on-the-ground support. Intralink was highly recommended by one of our board members when it became clear we needed to be doing more in China, and I’m thrilled their Shanghai team has hit the ground running.”
To discuss the opportunities for your business in East Asia’s automotive sector, contact Tommy Shiekman on thomas.shiekman@intralinkgroup.com