Shanghai (ZXZC)- NIO recently caught the eye of the entire auto industry through a collaboration framework agreement with Hefei municipal government and the decision to launch its China headquarters there. The splendid move correspondingly raised a question: whether NIO will move its Shanghai-based global headquarters to the capital of Anhui Province?

The answer may be “no”. The Hefei project involves no removal of existing location and personnel, and Shanghai will still be the city where NIO’s global headquarters is located with core staff members remaining where they are, according to a local media outlet, citing Qin Lihong, co-founder and president of NIO.

What niceties will NIO get from the collaboration with Hefei? “Under the framework agreement, Hefei government expects to provide resources and funding support for the long-term growth of NIO in Hefei, and NIO plans to establish NIO China headquarters, further expand its operations and deepen its relationship with local ecosystem partners in Hefei,” the startup announced. Reportedly, the local government plans to plow over RMB 10 billion for NIO China to conduct R&D and operation business, and construct marketing system.

NIO has to-day put two mass-produced models—the ES8 and the ES6—onto the market, both of which are produced by JAC Motors. On Feb. 25, the production of EC6, NIO's third volume production model, was kicked off at the JAC-NIO Advanced Manufacturing Center, meaning the Hefei-based automaker will continue its role of NIO's contract manufacturer to the new coupe SUV.

The NIO EC6 was unveiled at NIO Day 2019, and its pricing and specifications are expected to be released in July 2020 with deliveries beginning in September (photo source: NIO).