A ceremony marking the opening of the HiRain Technologies Nantong Intelligent Manufacturing Center is held in Gangzha district, Nantong city, March 28. [Photo/ntjoy.com]

The HiRain Technologies Nantong Intelligent Manufacturing Center, a project vital to the development of Nantong city's electronic information and intelligent driving industries, began operating in Gangzha district on March 28. 

Receiving more than 1 billion yuan ($148.85 million) in investment from Chinese high-tech auto electronics company HiRain Technologies, the intelligent manufacturing center covers an area of about 7 hectares and has a construction area of 13 hectares. 

The center is tasked mainly with researching and developing supporting products for vehicles, such as front view cameras, video control systems, and vehicle control units.

It is expected to produce 20 million sets of auto electronic controllers annually, which would generate around 1 billion yuan in sales and contribute 30 million yuan in local taxes every year.

A worker on duty at the HiRain Technologies Nantong Intelligent Manufacturing Center, March 28. [Photo/ntjoy.com]

The center is a testament to Gangzha district's effective methods for attracting and developing intelligent driving projects. 

In recent years, the district has been optimizing its business environment and encouraging innovation to boost the electronic information and intelligent driving industries. Auto electronics and integrated circuit clusters have formed in the Shibei Hi-Tech Park and Nantong Technology Industrial Park. 

As a result, a series of companies involved in automotive intelligent driving chips, electronic controls, and vehicle electronic systems, including HiRain Technologies, have decided to invest and set up operations in the district. 

Next, HiRain Technologies plans to relocate its auto electronics R&D platform and auto electronics businesses to the Nantong intelligent manufacturing cetner and establish its East China headquarters there.