(Yicai Global) March 2 -- W-Ibeda High Tech Group, a Chinese provider of testing services for Ford Motor and Nio, will join hands with two partners to build a testing center in Germany to explore the European new energy vehicle market.

The firm will team up with Reilhofer, a German test bench manufacturer, and Kewell Technology, a Chinese producer of power supply testing equipment, to establish the 10,000-square meter center to assess the quality of fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries, the Shanghai-based company said in a statement yesterday, without disclosing financing details or the exact location. The hub should be ready by 2025.

W-Ibeda is a major powertrain tester in China as it counts Caterpillar, Contemporary Amperex Technology, General Motors, and Honda Motor as some of its clients. W-Ibeda will make test benches for the European facility, Kewell will provide testing technical support, and Reilhofer will keep contact with the local government and strive to expand the market, according to a framework agreement the three firms penned on Feb. 28.

The project will leverage W-Ibeda's experience and innovation in electric vehicle testing, Kewell's technical expertise in battery assessment, and Reilhofer's leading industry position in automobile testing as well as its customer resources in Germany and other European countries, per the statement.

The overseas investment plan failed to spur major stock price hikes as W-Ibeda [SHA: 688071] fell 2.5 percent to close at CNY66.14 (USD10). Meanwhile, Kewell [SHA: 688551] climbed 0.9 percent to CNY59.95.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi