Shanghai (ZXZC)- On Nov. 24, NIO announced the installation of the first batch of manufacturing facilities commenced at its second production base, which is also the Hefei-based NeoPark's first plant.

Manufacturing equipment arrives at NeoPark's 1st factory

NIO said, since the construction of the NeoPark started on April 29, 2021, it took the constructor less than seven months to complete the main building of the factory, representing a leading construction pace in the industry.

The manufacturing equipment delivered for installation covers major production processes including stamping, welding, painting and general assembly, according to NIO.

Covering 11.3 square kilometers, NeoPark has three main functional areas, namely, smart manufacturing, R&D and living space, and eco park. NIO noted the first tooling trial vehicle is scheduled to roll off the trial production line at its new manufacturing plant in the second quarter of 2022, and will go into volume production in the third quarter next year.

To ramp up capacity and introduce new products, NIO last month halted production at some assembly lines of the JAC-NIO Advanced Manufacturing Center. William Bin Li, chairman and CEO of NIO, said at a quarterly earning call that the future new products introduction to the revamped plant and the plant in the NeoPark, would not affect the manufacturing of its existing products. Once NIO's two plants are fully operational, the total annual capacity may reach up to 600,000 vehicles based on double shift, said Li.