Sinopec to aid Chery with green vehicles

China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), and Chery Automobile signed a strategic cooperation agreement on Friday, Xinhua reported (in Chinese). Under the agreement, Sinopec will provide Chery with oil products in support of the automaker's research and development projects and technical support for its efforts to develop clean alternative energy vehicles, while Chery will promote Sinopec-brand oil at its service stations around the country. Chery also signed a strategic agreement with Japan-based auto equipment manufacturer SMC Corporation earlier last week, citing a need for closer cooperation with suppliers worldwide.