Shanghai (ZXZC)- Beijing Benz will manufacture Benz's electric vehicle (EV) model in the BAIC's plant in Shunyi district of Beijing (hereinafter, Shunyi plant), which was used to manufacture the models under BAIC Senova, according to local media.

Beijing Benz plans to roll out 4 homegrown EV models of Mercedes-Benz EQ Series, covering SUVs and sedans, in accordance with the company's NEV planning. The first model EQC, which holds a range up to 500km, will roll off the production line in 2018.

According to relevant information, founded in 2011, the Shunyi plant was used to produce such models as the Senova D70, the Senova X55 and BAIC BJEV's EU260, etc. Its annual production capacity had increased to 30,000 units after the second phase was completed. Beijing Benz took over the plant, then remolded it in line with the Germany Industrie 4.0 to manufacture a series of all-electric models based on Mercedes-Benz modular platform for all-electric cars. Meanwhile, Beijing Benz will establish a battery factory to support the Shunyi plant's production.

As Mercedes-Benz's old adversaries, BMW and Audi also make planning to locally produce EVs in China. At Auto China 2018, BMW unveiled a concept model of the iX3, which will be officially locally produced in 2020. In addition, Audi has a blueprint to launch 4 EV models in the next four years, including the Audi e-tron, the Q2 e-tron, etc.

It is worth mentioning that Benz has gained a head start over BMW and Audi in the NEV competition. The all-electric EQC SUV will roll off production line in 2018 and officially go on sale in the next year, which runs ahead of BMW and Audi in proceeding with EV localization. Additionally, Benz's EQC, featuring the modular design, enjoys a range up to 500km, which is more than the 400km-range of BMW's iX3 and Audi e-tron.