(Yicai Global) May 20 --  Changan Automobile will begin the rollout of its high-end smart electric vehicles jointly developed with Huawei Technologies and Tesla battery supplier Contemporary Amperex Technology as soon as the end of this month and will take the brand public in the future, according to a senior executive. 

Named AB, the new premium brand will develop independently, integrating its partners' resources, and seek a separate listing, Tan Benhong, executive vice president at Chongqing-based Changan Auto, said in an interview with Yicai Global.

AB and Changan’s own new energy vehicle unit will have different branding and positioning, Tan added, refuting speculation of a consolidation of the two.

Many Chinese tech firms, including telecoms giant Huawei and smartphone and electronic devices maker Xiaomi, have announced recently that they are entering the booming NEV sector. Unlike most of them, Huawei has said it will not make cars by itself, but will provide its intelligent connected vehicle technologies to auto industry partners.

Shenzhen-based Huawei is cooperating with three auto firms, and smart cars that carry its Huawei Inside logo will be rolled out in the fourth quarter, Rotating Chairman Eric Xu Zhijun said last month.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi