Bevy of automakers teaming with high-tech companies

Co-founder and head of Le Holdings Co Jia Yueting (front left), actress Tang Yan (front center), actor Sun Honglei (front right), poses in front of all-electric battery concept car LeSEE with guests during a ceremony in Beijing, China April 20, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

More carmakers have joined forces with internet companies to develop and produce electric cars with connectivity technologies.

At the beginning of April, Shanghai-listed JAC Motor clinched a 10 billion yuan (1.54 billion) deal with NextEV on new-energy and smart cars as well as connectivity technologies.The first electric model will be launched at the end of next year. NextEV is one of China's startups aspiring to make electric and smart supercars and is backed by Tencent Holdings and Hillhouse Capital.

In February, internet firm LeEco agreed with Aston Martin to form a joint venture to produce cars. Their first electric car, the Rapid E, will hit the market in 2018 with powertrain and connectivity technologies from LeEco.