According to a new report from China Business News, Chinese EV producer NIO is looking to hire a number of positions related to manufacturing vehicles in the U.S. The recruitment descriptions suggest the Chinese automaker intends to begin planning and erecting EV production facilities on U.S. soil that may start with complete knock-down (CKD) or semi-knock-down (SKD) assembly methods.
Originally founded in 2014, NIO has established itself as one of China’s leading electrified brands, originally beginning with a line of electric SUVs. Their current EV manufacturing setup dwells entirely in China in the capital city of Hefei in the Anhui province. After adding two EV sedans to its lineup, the company has begun expanding to other global markets in the past year, starting in Europe.
During the company’s annual NIO Day celebration this past December, the automaker revealed its goals to provide services in 25 countries and regions by 2025. The presentation displayed a map with several markets highlighted at potential entry points including Western Europe, Australia, and the U.S.
In January, NIO signed a ten-year lease in San Jose to serve as the automaker’s local headquarters, although there was zero mention of manufacturing. However, it now seems that NIO is starting up recruiting for a number of new US-based manufacturing-related positions.
The specific positions NIO is recruiting include overseas manufacturing park planning experts, body craft experts, planning and infrastructure experts, and overseas logistics project managers. Candidates are reportedly required to have master planning experience pertaining to at least one U.S. project and familiarity with U.S. state policies, design specifications, and planning approval procedures. Additionally, the report points out that the specifically listed positions of planning and infrastructure expert and senior analyst in San Jose require candidates who “have knowledge of industrial real estate industry regulatory processes.”
