Global smart electric vehicle company NIO has opened a research and development facility in Witney, Oxfordshire.
Now operational, it brings together its UK engineering team of more than 40 people in a single location to further enhance collaboration and global EV innovation.
It merges NIO’s former UK facilities at Begbroke Science Park and Bicester Motion into a single unit, comprising a dedicated computer aided engineering (CAE) workspace and vehicle laboratory.
The new R&D centre will support closer collaboration across the UK team and provide a more spacious and efficient base for future vehicle development work, the company said.
In 2016, NIO established its global R&D centre for performance and advanced concept engineering in Oxfordshire. Over the past decade, the operation has contributed to NIO’s global R&D journey, supporting all its global vehicle development programmes, from the EP9 electric supercar launched in 2016, through to the NIO ET9, its smart executive flagship EV.
Its engineers in the UK have also worked on the development of NIO’s third brand, firefly, and its first compact EV.
Hui Zhang, Vice President, NIO Europe, said:
“For a decade, our Oxfordshire team has been an integral part of NIO’s global R&D network, contributing to multiple vehicle programmes and engineering innovations across our global portfolio. As we celebrate this milestone, we thank the team for its dedication, expertise and contribution to NIO’s development over the past 10 years. The opening of our new Witney R&D centre reflects our long-term commitment to the UK, Europe and international collaboration in advancing smart electric mobility.”
Danilo Teobaldi, Principal Chief Engineer, NIO, said:
“Bringing our virtual and physical UK engineering teams together in Witney will accelerate the development of innovations that improve the user experience. With new facilities, we can ensure NIO’s UK-based team continues to pioneer in areas such as class-leading Euro NCAP results for all three group brands, along with smart chassis system solutions for our global platforms.”
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
“This investment highlights the UK’s enduring strength as a centre of automotive collaboration and engineering excellence. NIO’s decision to consolidate its R&D activity here in a new, state of the art facility also reflects the depth of British talent and expertise in next-generation vehicle technologies. It is a timely reminder that amid fierce global competition for investment, the UK can continue to attract and grow high-value innovation, supporting jobs, skills and the transition to zero-emission mobility.”
Image courtesy of NIO
