Contract manufacturer already produces the Fisker Ocean and Jaguar I-Pace EVs at its plant in Austria.
Magna Steyr – a division of Magna International – is in talks with a Chinese brand to produce cars in Europe, president Uwe Geissinger has revealed at the 2023 Munich motor show in Germany.
Citing extra capacity at the company’s contract manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria, Geissinger said talks had started with a Chinese brand on the possibility of production there, although he indicated that no firm agreement had yet been made.
“Whether we make them in Graz or a new facility depends on how the talks turn out,” he told Automotive News Europe when asked about the possibility of Chinese EVs being produced in Austria, without revealing the identity of the company.
Magna Steyr already closely co-operates with BAIC and its Arcfox EV brand in China under a joint venture called Magna Blue Sky Technology.
Arcfox models, including the Alpha S and Alpha T are based on an EV platform developed by Magna International. They’re also produced in a factory constructed by BAIC and Magna International in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province.
Magna Steyr also produces the unrelated Fisker Ocean and Jaguar I-Pace EVs at Graz, along with the combustion-engined Jaguar E-Pace and BMW Z4. From 2026, it will also build the follow-up to the Ineos Grenadier.
Geissinger indicated that the Austrian company wouldn’t rush into any new agreement.
“We’re closely studying the financial standing of any new production partner,” he said. “Many Chinese car makers we don’t expect to survive; maybe one in 10 will.”