Ideanomics (formerly known as Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.) (NASDAQ: SSC), a global fintech and asset digitization services company, announced on Monday it has signed a MoU with Beijing Foton Motor Company (Foton).
According to Ideanomics, the agreement for China-based activities is a 2-year deal, at 5 Billion RMB (approximately $750 Million) per year, making the overall deal valued at 10 Billion RMB (approximately US $1.5 Billion). Ideanomics will provide ABS lease financing of 10 Billion RMB over two years, and fulfill with for Foton on orders of 60,000 EV buses. It was also revealed:
“For Malaysia-based activities, including cooperation for the extended ASEAN region, the supply of bus parts and systems, including EV batteries, and a cooperation on the implementation of a charging network, for which Ideanomics shall source no less than 6,000 vehicles from the Malaysian central government and its departmental agencies including EV buses and Police passenger vehicles (cars and motorcycles). For orders within Malaysia and the ASEAN region, Ideanomics shall be entitled to commission per unit sold, at an amount to be determined according to each respective order.”
Ideanomics also reported that for Vietnam-based activities, Ideanomics shall source no less than 20,000 vehicles, both EV Bus and passenger car for e-taxi conversion, with Foton making available its 30,000-part bus system and technology for assembly in Vietnam. The agreement allows for negotiations with the Vietnam state electrical grid, to introduce a national charging network. Speaking about the collaboration, Alf Poor, CEO of Ideanomics, stated:
“We are very grateful for the efforts of Dr. Wu, Avis Zhu and the entire China-based Ideanomics team, with support from our colleagues at Treeletrik in Malaysia, for successfully delivering on this deal. Foton is arguably the premier EV bus manufacturer globally, and this agreement positions us to further consolidate our position as a global EV advisory services company, as well as enable us to expand our footprint beyond China with the leading EV bus product available today. The fact Foton promoted signing a MoU, to allow the parties to begin activities immediately while the broader definitive agreement is signed, is testament to our growing reputation as the advisory partner of choice for large-scale EV initiatives in Asia.”
Liang Shaowen, of Beijing Auto Foton Commercial Vehicle, added:
“Together, Foton and Ideanomics will seize upon the opportunity of large-scale EV and Hydrogen replacement of public and private transportation infrastructure in major markets and the same time raise the standard for technologically advanced vehicles which offer dependability, reliability and improved customer satisfaction. This, coupled with compelling, economically viable, financing programs for the cities and bus operators that manage these fleets will serve a much-needed gap in the market.”
