Premium German car manufacturer Borgward Group is preparing to import its latest range of SUV electric vehicles (EVs) to the UK through a strategic partnership with Subaru and Isuzu importer, the IM Group. 

Midlands-based IM Group currently manages the Subaru and Isuzu franchises in the UK and previously imported Great Wall vehicles, a Chinese manufacturer specialising in sport utility vehicle and pick-up trucks, but will facilitate the next step in the German brand's global expansion plan.

Contracts are already close to being finalised with IM Group’s Nordic and Baltic businesses and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed last Wednesday (November 21) to confirm their intention to import Borgward in the UK and Ireland.

IM Group’s managing director, Andrew Edmiston, said: “Our company originated from a heritage brand so we’re particularly excited to resurrect this famous brand from the past. 

"Borgward is known for its innovation and style and we see this continuing in the future with this exciting new range of products."

Stuttgart-based Borgward is owned by Beiqi Foton Motor, a subsidiary of Chinese manufacturing giant BAIC.

Over the past three years, Borgward has consistently pursued a “go-west strategy”. Starting in China, the manufacturer has since expanded into more than a dozen countries worldwide, including South East Asia, Russia and the Middle East. 

In the summer of this year, Borgward also returned to its German home market.

In line with its ‘We. Drive. Zeitgeist’ strategy, Borgward has re-invented itself with a luxury range of accessible premium SUVs. 

The petrol-engine BX5 and BX7 are already available in Europe but the brand’s intention is to sell electric vehicles once production starts on the BXi5 and BXi7. 

Borgward’s senior vice president of global marketing, sales and service Tom Anliker said: “We’re very pleased to find such a professional and dedicated organisation that will re-launch Borgward back to the UK and Irish markets."

Production of right-hand drive variants is expected to start in early 2019 in anticipation of a UK launch towards the end of 2019. 

Price, specification and line-up details of Borgward's UK vehicle offering will be announced closer to the time, a statement issued by IM Group revealed.