In the first half of 2019, data showed that the output value of the new energy vehicles (NEVs) and auto parts industry chain in Changzhou reached 37.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%.

Dorcen Auto has plants for assembly in Jiangsu and Jiangxi. The Jiangsu plant, established in 2015 by Zotye and the Jintan Auto Group, is located in the Jintan district of Changzhou. Dorcen has two plants in Jiangxi: the former JMCGL one, aimed at producing pickups and minivans, and the Jiangxi Dorcen Automotive Technology Industrial Park, established in December 2018. In the first half of 2019, both bases realized the combination of traditional models and NEVs by implementing the R&D and production of pure electric and hydrogen energy vehicles. In April, Dorcen officially released its first extended-range pure electric vehicle (E-REV), the Lixiang ONE, which has a good driving range and provides excellent driving experience. Lixiang ONE is expected to be launched in the market in September.

In the first half of the year, Changzhou signed a framework agreement with BYD Auto. The project of BYD Huadong New Energy Passenger Vehicle and Core Parts Industrial Park with a total investment of 10 billion yuan was officially settled in Changzhou National High-Tech District. It is estimated that the annual output value of the project will exceed 50 billion yuan. In the future, BYD will also set up a research and development center in Changzhou. A number of NEV industry chain projects such as CATL’s new energy and lithium-ion battery storage program, BTR’s high-performance lithium-ion battery materials and Kuntai’s vehicle automotive core system have made good progress in major project investment. Changzhou will gradually grow into a key NEV lithium-ion battery production base in China.