Garbage-truck maker 'on list to get permits'

A garbage-truck maker and a sports-car startup are the top candidates to receive permits to manufacture electric vehicles in China as part of the government's push to encourage innovation in the auto industry, according to people with knowledge of the process.

A panel of experts appointed by the National Development and Reform Commission, which oversees the approval of new investment projects, has concluded its technical review of Jiangsu Aoxin New Energy Automobile Co and Beijing CH-Auto Technology Co, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. The NDRC may soon announce a decision, which hasn't been finalized, the people said, without being more specific.

The NDRC said that it doesn't comment on applications in process. A representative for CH-Auto declined to comment, while calls to Aoxin's main line weren't answered.