SAN FRANCISCO, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Former General Motors senior executive James Taylor has just taken the office as co-CEO of China's electric vehicle (EV) startup Seres and he introduced the company’s new adjustments and plans to a visiting group from China's Chongqing Liangjiang New Area.
The Silicon Valley team still leads the company's research and development (R&D) despite the elimination of 17 positions at the office and the team is currently working on next-generation battery technology and new car model, said Taylor.
As early as 2016 when Seres set up office in the United States, it decided to develop core technologies of EVs based on the technology highlands of Silicon Valley, said Taylor.
After three years of cultivation, the American company of Seres has formed a globalized development layout in four countries with Silicon Valley as the core and independently completed R&D of electric-drive core technologies such as the motor, electric control and batteries, noted Taylor.
More than 1,000 technological achievements of the company are applying for or have received technical patents in China or in the U.S., according to him.
Taylor also disclosed he will meet with other U.S. automobile makers to discuss feasibility of cooperation in the field of automobile electrification.
When serving as a senior executive of General Motors, Taylor led the innovative design and technology upgrading of the new model of Cadillac, which contributed to the revival of the brand.
Responding to the previous media reports that the company has laid off 90 employees at its Silicon Valley office, Taylor explained only 47 jobs were cut across the U.S., and it was the necessary adjustment according to the company's new business plan and evolving market conditions.
He meanwhile said "Seres has decided to delay the launch of the production version of the SF5 crossover in the U.S. as uncertainties of the U.S. auto market remained, and the company will focus on the launch of the product in China." When the market condition turns favorable, the model will be launched in the U.S.
Formerly known as SF Motors, Seres is the EV unit of China's Chongqing Sokon Industry Group (Sokon), and it is poised to become a serious competitor to U.S. EV giant Tesla in China.
(Edited by Yang Qi, kateqiyang@xinhua.org)
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