SAIC Motor Corp. will introduce an Internet connected car jointly developed with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. in August 2016, part of efforts by Chinese automakers to integrate Internet technology with vehicles.

    Shanghai-listed SAIC Motor will unveil a production model rather than a concept that may take years before being ready for manufacturing, according to Gu Feng, the company’s financial controller.

    SAIC also plans to more than double the number of new energy vehicles sold to 13,400 units this year from 6,000 last year.

    As part of its overseas expansion, SAIC Motor will set up five to eight sales units in Russia, Australia, the Middle East and South America, before considering the feasibility of starting local production, Gu said.

    Automakers in China have announced tie-ups with Internet companies as Premier Li Keqiang said last month that China will promote development in areas such as mobile Internet, cloud computing and big data in order to integrate the Internet with manufacturing and foster an innovation-led economy.

    Baidu Inc. has said it may introduce an autonomous car this year, while Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Leshi Internet Information & Technology (Beijing) Co. also announced plans to develop cars. (SD-Agencies)