Silk-FAW will develop electric battery and hybrid ultra luxury hypercars under the Hongqi brand, which will be produced in China and in Italy's Emilia Romagna region.

"Felisa will be involved in setting global strategy for the company and will provide oversight on all elements of the execution of the company's business plan," Silk-FAW said in a statement.

Felisa was Ferrari Chief Executive between 2008 and 2016.

Silk-FAW unveiled last week during the Shanghai Auto Show its first model, the plug-in hybrid Hongqi S9, which has been designed by former Volkswagen's chief designer Walter Maria de Silva.

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari, editing by Ed Osmond)