Finnish engineering company Metso's unit Valmet Automotive and utility Fortum said on August 6 they will jointly develop an electric concept car to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010.
The companies said they would not launch a new electric car brand, but planned to develop new technology and build a concept car for four people that could be driven for up to 160 kilometres (99 miles) with one charge.
"Valmet Automotive is not introducing its own electric car brand; instead, the idea is to create new solutions as a part of our service offering," the head of the unit Ilpo Korhonen said.
The utility Fortum will bring its know-how on recharging to the project.
Currently Valmet Automotive is building in Uusikaupunki -- some 230 kilometers northwest of the capital Helsinki -- Boxter and Cayman for German Porsche and electric golf cars for Denmark's Garia.
By the end of this year it will also start making Karma hybrid cars for the U.S.-based Fisker Automotive.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009
