Chinese manufacturer Sokon Industry Group, which produces multi-purpose vehicles as well as engines and other automotive components, has established a US-based headquarters in Silicon Valley. The company is launching an EV brand called SF Motors, which it promises to unveil in further detail in the coming months. The company has also established an R&D center near Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has plans for a future US manufacturing base.

SF Motors has brought on EV pioneer (and Tesla co-founder) Martin Eberhard to serve as an advisor.

The brand-new 80,000-square-foot building in Santa Clara includes a a vehicle showroom and a state-of-the art garage with lots of EV charging stations. The facility is to have a headcount of 150 employees by the end of the year, while the Ann Arbor R&D center will hire 100.

“In order to establish a West Coast presence and reach our goal of becoming a leader in the US EV market, SF Motors decided to build a solid foundation here in Silicon Valley,” said SF Motors CEO John Zhang. “As we expand our operations and R&D efforts, we hope to partner with like-minded corporations and recruit the top automotive and tech talent.”

Source: SF Motors