NIO Builds First Non-Domestic Battery Plant in Europe
Chinese swappable battery champion NIO is expanding its European footprint this year with the opening of its first continental battery factory.
The facility, due to begin commercial production in September, will be based in the county of Pest in Hungary and dubbed the NIO Power Europe Plant. With a footprint of around 10,000 square meters (32,808 square feet), it is the automaker’s first overseas plant and will serve as the manufacturing, service and R&D center for its power products in Europe.
Its major focus will be on covering the manufacturing and after-sales service of battery swapping stations and training for power operations in Europe.
After entering the Norwegian market, NIO plans to expand into Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark in the second half of this year with its products and services. Péter Szijjártó, minister of Hungarian foreign affairs and trade, and Hui Zhang, vice-president of NIO Europe, jointly made the announcement.
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
