The GAC NE intelligent ecological plant is the first in the world to use aluminum riveting and spot welding changeover technology, has a “steel-aluminum hybrid” production line, and makes better-quality and safer lightweight vehicle bodies in response to the application of lightweight materials (e.g., aluminum alloys) in the future. The GAC NE Aion S uses a hybrid vehicle body with high-strength steel and an aluminum alloy lower body to realize world-class safety and lightness, and maximum occupant protection.

Based on advanced Iot technology, the plant has thoroughly opened up all the links in the whole production process, fully realizing “information digitization” in many aspects such as key management elements of the production plant, simultaneous development for different models, and administrative level of the company, creating a fully visualized and traceable efficient “transparent factory.” 

Through the C2B customization of intelligent vehicle manufacturing, the GAC NE intelligent ecological plant is the first of its kind in the world that involves users deeply in vehicle design and manufacturing, provides them with individualized experiences, and makes exclusive vehicles. Users can enjoy rich, interactive and interesting smooth individualized experiences through the GAC NE app. For example, 16,800 and 60,000 solutions can be customized for the Aion S and the Aion LX respectively. Through the app, users can see the production process of customized models at any time, and witness the birth of their own vehicles, which can enhance the participation and sense of ritual of users in the production process.

The GAC NE intelligent ecological plant is the world’s first plant that utilizes energy comprehensively. It also applies green technologies and materials comprehensively to harmonize with the environment and realize sustainable development. The new plant uses 52,000 photovoltaic panels (85,000 square meters) to build a solar roof that generates 16.77 million kWh of electricity annually, accounting for about 15% of the plant’s full-load power consumption; a power battery energy storage yard has been built to store surplus electricity, with a first-phase storage capacity of 1,000 kWh. Advanced environmental technologies are used extensively in the new plant. For example, the liquid damping material spraying technology used at the painting shop sprays the aqueous green material LASD fully automatically, reducing benzene and aldehyde VOCs in vehicles by 49%, and the advanced green film technology (hydrozirconation) realizes the zero emission of harmful substances.