Shanghai (ZXZC)- Geely has witnessed new progress in the second phase of its NEV (new energy vehicle) site in Nanchong of Sichuan, a landlocked province in Southwest China. Bai Jilin, head of the construction project, said the powertrain part has been completed 70% and it is expected to kick off production in June, 2020. Up to now, 80% of the construction has been completed.           

The automaker began the phase-Ⅱ building in May, 2018. Involving a total investment of RMB6.8 billion (US$967 million) and covering an area of 650mu (433,333 square meters), it is expected to generate an annual output value of roughly RMB30 billion (US$4,267 million). The base is supposed to manufacture 500,000 powertrains for new energy commercial vehicles (NECV) (200,000 methanol-powered engines and 300,000 range-extended powertrains) and 10,000 clean-energy buses.    

Reportedly, Geely Holding Group’s NECV subsidiary has launched three NEV facilities in Jinzhong of Shanxi, Yiwu of Zhejiang and Coventry of Britain, apart from the Nanchong project, the first one deployed in Sichuan by the CV company.         

Recently, Geely has been promoting its NEV business. Last month, sales of new energy and electrified vehicles (NEEVs) reached 10,294 unit, growing 27% from the year-ago period. The cumulative sales from Jan. to Oct. surged 74% year on year to 89,032 units. According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), China’s PV market was still confronted with sales decline in October, while the CV market saw its sales rise (photo source: Geely).