FRANKFURT/DETROIT: A group of deep-pocketed China-based Internet entrepreneurs and financial investors, including Tencent and Hillhouse Capital, is backing an effort to create NextEV, a new rival to US electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc.
Hillhouse is also an investor in Uber, the US ride sharing service. The backers have hired ex-Ford Motor Co executive Martin Leach to build a global automaker, a NextEV spokeswoman said. The backers have also recruited experts with previous experience at Tesla, BMW AG, Volkswagen AG and other major car companies.