(Yicai Global) March 14 -- The electric vehicle arm of debt-ridden China Evergrande Group is reportedly offering high salaries to recruit car salespeople in 15 cities across the country.

China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group will pay generous salaries for auto sales representatives in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, the Paper reported today, citing job posts. The campaign was launched after the Chinese New Year holiday that ended in February.

The posts are timely. Evergrande NEV’s first model, sport-utility vehicle Hengchi 5, is now qualified for sales, according to a document the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released on March 8.

The Guangzhou-based listed firm plans to develop 14 electric vehicle models, according to its plan disclosed earlier. Mass production should start early this year at the latest. By 2025, one million vehicles should be sold per year.

The car manufacturing arm of the troubled real estate giant has not been able to isolate itself from its parent's problems. Evergrande NEV said earlier that it has been actively negotiating with potential buyers to sell some of its assets to improve its efficiency and to supplement its working capital.

Some of the assets that Evergrande NEV has sold are powertrain technology firm e-Traction, in-wheel motor startup Protean Electric, and most assets owned by Evergrande Hofer Powerchain, according to information disclosed previously.

Evergrande NEV’s equity price [HKG: 0708] closed 5.1 percent lower at HKD2.99 (US 40 cents) after climbing over the past three trading days. But the shares are still almost a quarter down this year.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi