• No wasted resources: Clear focus on all-electric drives ensures very lean production and full capacity of development resources for one platform
• Highest flexibility: The MAS platform can accommodate up to 15 different models in diverse drive configurations, achieving up to 90% commonality
• Pioneering production efficiency: 1,200 employees at the Shangrao site, developed by Siemens, can produce up to 300,000 vehicles a year thanks to lean manufacturing processes

Shanghai/Munich, March 09, 2023 – The switch to electromobility has put many processes in a very conservative industry to the test. The pressure to innovate has never been greater, and the number of new competitors has never been as numerous. Aiways has gained a smart advantage with a highly automated, highly digitalized production facility in Shangrao which compliments an extremely flexible vehicle architecture.

The automotive industry is undergoing the greatest period of upheaval since its beginnings over a hundred years ago. New agile vehicle manufacturers are challenging conventions and setting a technological revolution in motion. It is Aiways’ declared goal to break completely new ground in this new constellation.

Aiways is pursuing this path consistently and 100 percent electrically: “We are building innovative cars for a better future of sustainable mobility and developing completely new worlds for their passengers,” promises company founder Samuel Fu. But the focus is also on affordable, spacious and safe electric mobility, because Aiways wants to make the switch from conventional drives easier for everyone and make the technology more accessible.

MAS platform as flexible basis for up to 15 models with high commonality

The basis for this revolution is the innovative “More Adaptable Structure”-Platform. The name already reveals its versatility, which it takes into account with up to 15 possible models based on it. Its versatility is not only related to the various body shapes, but even to vehicle segments and drive variants. In addition to the already familiar compact SUV and SUV coupe models, Aiways U5 and Aiways U6, both smaller and larger variants in the popular sport utility vehicle segment are conceivable. However, the MAS platform also supports family vans (MPV) or classic sedans and station wagons, which are very important for Europe in particular.

“Our platform is the heart of the brand. With its intelligent design, we can achieve up to 90 percent commonality,” explains Dr. Alexander Klose, Executive Vice President Overseas Operations at Aiways. “This saves an extremely large amount of development time and allows us to launch a new vehicle every year. Especially in the small and cost-sensitive electric vehicle segment, this will give us a significant competitive advantage.”

The next generation of vehicle manufacturing thanks to globally leading partners

With an automation rate of over 90 percent and the use of innovative manufacturing processes, the Aiways production plant in Shangrao is one of the most modern in the world, but above all it is the “Aiways Smart Factory” system developed together with Siemens that makes the plant truly unique. The Aiways AI Research development operates a digital twin of manufacturing that replicates real production processes in real time and performs a constant target/actual value comparison. Whether it is the exact defined timing, raw materials or tools to be used: the virtual world and real manufacturing are always in sync. This means not only can the best layout for production be found in advance, but 100 percent quality can also be guaranteed during operation.

In order to safeguard this claim in the long term, Aiways relies on only the best names in the competition when selecting suppliers and service providers. The body shop at the plant in Shangrao, for example, is equipped by Kuka where 410 robots are capable of producing 30 body shells per minute. The paint shop, which is equipped by Eisenmann and covers almost 60,000 square meters, requires up to 50% less energy and also produces almost 90% fewer chemicals to be recycled compared to conventional plants, thanks to paints supplied by BASF. The heart of the plant, assembly, has been fully equipped by German specialist Dürr and is also monitored in real time by the cloud-based virtual twin factory.

Currently, 150,000 vehicles can be produced annually at the Shangrao site. Up to six different models can roll off the line in parallel without retooling work, and only minor measures are required for expansion. The planned maximum capacity utilization of the advanced plant is up to 300,000 annual units with 1,200 employees.

-Ends-

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Aiways contact for media inquiries

Bernd Abel, Aiways Automobile Europe GmbH

+49 (0) 89 693135269

bernd.abel@ai-ways.eu

Georgia Chapman, Aiways Automobile Europe GmbH

+49 (0) 89 693135278

georgia.chapman@ai-ways.eu

About Aiways

Founded in 2017, Aiways is a Shanghai-based personal mobility provider with its European HQ in Munich, Germany. It was the first Chinese start-up to introduce an electric vehicle to the European market with the launch of the U5 in 2020 – a battery-electric SUV with impressive range, style, and quality. Aiways is rapidly continuing its expansion in Europe and beyond: order books are open in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France, Israel, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Croatia, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Slovenia – with more markets to follow. The U5 SUV is produced at Aiways’ smart production facility in Shangrao – one of the most modern car production facilities in China. The IT-controlled processes with challenging quality gates follow the standards of Industry 4.0. With an initial production capacity of 150,000 units per annum, Aiways can increase this number to 300,000 units when global EV demand rises. Aiways’ next model for Europe will be the battery-electric U6 SUV-Coupé. With a focus on sophisticated aerodynamics, highly connected driving, safety technology, and a sporty design, the U6 SUV-Coupé is just the next chapter of Aiways’ promising future.