(Yicai Global) Nov. 12 -- Three-dimensional printed car maker and integrated 3D printing manufacturing solution provider X-Electrical Vehicle will build a Shanghai center, Lou Tik, its founder and chief executive, has announced.

This center, the startup's third after one in its base of Turin, Italy and another in Hong Kong, is expected to have about 150 employees. The facility will research, develop and produce 3D cars of the future.

China, the world's largest auto market since 2009, has great potential and strong production demand, said Lou, which is why XEV choose to establish a presence in the country.

3D printed cars are especially suitable for small and medium batch production, and XEV has been in talks with the UK's Lotus Cars unit of Hangzhou-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and various manufacturers of new energy vehicles. With a planned annual capacity of 10,000 units, the facility is expected to be running by next year's fourth quarter, according to Lou.

XEV began its 3D printing car project in 2016 and finished its first prototype last year. This electric miniature car, which has a range of 150 kilometer, a top speed of 70 km/h, weighs a scant 450 kilograms.

XEV has already received 7,000 pre-orders from Italy's post office and global car leasing and fleet management company Arval under Paris-based banking conglomerate BNP Paribas, even before it is ready for mass production.

Major Italian dealers Campello Motors and Asconauto will sell mass production models for individual users.

"Over the next two years, YOYO [XEV model] is expected to sell 10,000 units a year in Italy," said Andrea Campello, Campello Motors CEO.

Editor: Ben Armour