This is Nio's first overseas plant, covering an area of about 10,000 square meters, and its major business includes the production of battery swap stations and after-sales service.

(Image credit: Nio)

The Nio Power Europe Plant in Pest megye, Hungary, will be operational in September, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Zhang Hui, Vice President of Nio Europe Office, jointly announced on July 29.

This is Nio's first overseas plant, covering an area of about 10,000 square meters, and will serve as a production, service and R&D center for Nio's power products in Europe, according to a press release.

The plant's main operations include the production and after-sales service of battery swap stations, training in European power operations, and research and development of power products.

Its launch will further enhance the efficiency of Nio Power's deployment and service in Europe and bring a better ownership experience to European customers, Nio said.

After entering the Norwegian market, Nio will expand its products and integrated services to Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark later this year, the company said, repeating its previous plans.

The operation of the Nio Power Europe Plant will add further momentum to the construction of battery swap stations in these countries, providing a solid foundation for local battery swapping and charging services, the company said.

This is the first time Nio has officially confirmed the existence of the Hungarian plant.

In a June 2 report, local media Cailian quoted an unnamed Nio insider as saying that Nio was planning to build a factory in Hungary to produce battery swap stations and charging pads to support its business in the European market.

On June 16, executives including William Li, founder, chairman and CEO of Nio, co-founder and president Qin Lihong, and Li Tianshu, head of product experience, informally confirmed the existence of a swap station factory in Hungary during a communication event with some owners in Hefei.

The European version of Nio's battery swap stations will be produced in Europe, but the development is unified globally, Qin said at the time.

"The battery swap stations are actually as big a technological innovation as Nio's cars," Qin said.

The environment in Europe is different from China, and Nio's battery swap stations are smarter and more unattended, which may in turn drive the company's swap station technology in China in a year or two, he said.

NIO confirms Hungary plant to produce swap stations, in a way that will make you laugh