BYD Collaborates with Singapore Startup in ASEAN E-Motorbike Race
Scorpio Electric, a Singaporean startup, partners with BYD, a leading Chinese automaker, to introduce e-motorbikes across ASEAN. BYD's manufacturing expertise will be utilized to produce Scorpio Electric's e-motorbikes. Discussions are underway to incorporate BYD's battery technology into Scorpio Electric's e-motorbikes.
Scorpio Electric, a Singaporean startup specializing in electric motorcycles, has joined forces with BYD, one of China's leading automakers, to introduce their two-wheelers across the ASEAN region. As eco-friendly transportation gains popularity in Southeast Asia, manufacturers are eager to tap into this growing market.
Founded in 2017, Scorpio Electric aims to produce a range of e-motorbikes that cater to the mass market in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The startup is preparing to launch its first model this summer in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, leveraging BYD's manufacturing expertise to produce their e-motorbikes.
Joshua Goh, CEO of Scorpio Electric, stated in an interview with Nikkei Asia, "BYD is our technology partner. A lot of our components are designed and specified by us, subassembled and finally shipped to Shenzhen, where the final assembly is conducted by BYD."
BYD has rapidly emerged as a prominent electric vehicle manufacturer, rivaling Tesla as the world's dominant producer of electric cars. Scorpio Electric is keen on deepening its partnership with BYD and is currently in discussions to incorporate BYD's battery technology into their e-motorbikes. Goh mentioned, "The team is currently evaluating... the use case of BYD battery cells. They have a whole range of supply chains. Their supply chain network is deeply entrenched in China."
Scorpio Electric has established an office in Shenzhen, where BYD's headquarters is located. There, Scorpio employees conduct quality control checks on the electric two-wheelers as they come off the assembly line. Despite Singapore's lack of an auto industry, the startup is leveraging China's manufacturing prowess to bring their vision to life.
While Scorpio Electric faces tough competition in the electric motorcycles segment, with other manufacturers in ASEAN vying for a share of the growing market for eco-friendly transportation, the startup remains undeterred. Goh believes that their partnership with BYD will help drive down costs and create a more scalable business model.
He also claims that Scorpio's e-motorbikes will outperform competitors in terms of range, with their first production model, the X1, capable of traveling 200 kilometers compared to the typical range of 140-160 kilometers.
Scorpio Electric, a Singaporean startup, partners with BYD, a leading Chinese automaker, to introduce e-motorbikes across ASEAN.
BYD's manufacturing expertise will be utilized to produce Scorpio Electric's e-motorbikes.
Discussions are underway to incorporate BYD's battery technology into Scorpio Electric's e-motorbikes.
Source: NIKKEI ASIA