Feb 3 (Reuters) - China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle ( EVGRF )

said on Monday it is struggling to attract strategic

investors amid a severe liquidity crisis, which has hampered its

operations and delayed essential audits for 2024.

"The tough conditions under which the new energy vehicle in

Mainland China is operating has certainly not facilitated this

(securing a strategic investor) process," the firm said.

The company, an electric vehicle (EV) unit of debt-laden

property developer China Evergrande ( EGRNF ), said that it is

still looking for strategic investors as it seeks solutions to

stabilize operations and address its liquidity crisis.

While it has also reduced its headcount to cut costs, it

said its limited funds are now focused on maintaining basic

operations including maintenance of its production plant and

machinery.

The EV maker had initially planned to compete with Tesla

and even held a market valuation surpassing that of

Ford Motor ( F ) but has since become entangled in the debt

crisis affecting its parent.