German auto giant Audi announced to start the construction of its first NEV manufacturing base in China, located in the auto manufacturing center of Changchun, Northeast China’s Jilin Province, the company said in a statement sent to the Global Times on Wednesday.
Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG suggested that the construction of Audi’s Changchun plant is another milestone for the company’s development in China.
Audi chose Changchun as the location for its new manufacturing plant due to Changchun has mature infrastructure, which is also one of the largest auto manufacturing bases and the base of FAW Group, Audi’s long-term cooperation partner since 1988, said the statement.
The new manufacturing plant will cover an area of about 150 hectares, larger than Audi’s Neckarsulm factory in Germany after completion at the end of 2024. Audi invested 2.6 billion euros ($2.74 billion) to the plant, and will designate the headquarters of Audi FAW NEV Company, the first joint-venture company in China that Audi holds most stocks right, at the plant.
The plant is expected to generate about 3,000 new job opportunities for the local community with annual output of over 150,000 NEVs. The manufacturing lines and logistics will utilize robots and automated guided vehicle to realize complete digitalization, which will be the first intelligent logistics solution used in the factory outside of Europe.
Audi vowed to implement “Mission: Zero” to the plant by using green power in all production facilities, which will be generated by photovoltaic module set on roofs, and water recycle system.
China is Audi’s largest single market. As of 2030, NEVs will take more share than petrol vehicles in China’s high-end auto market because of the country’s supportive policies, Audi predicted in the statement. The German automaker vowed to enhance its investment in China to fulfill its marketing strategies.
Photo taken on July 9, 2019 shows Audi vehicles awaiting transfer at the parking lot of FAW-Volkswagen in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin Province. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
