(Yicai Global) Aug. 9 -- As Jidu Auto officially opened its new headquarters in Shanghai yesterday, Chief Executive Xia Yiping said the joint venture of Chinese internet giant Baidu and carmaker Geely Holding Group aims to produce 800,000 vehicles a year by 2028.

The new HQ, located in Jiading district, where Shanghai’s auto industry is clustered, covers an area of nearly 20,000 square meters and employs about 1,400 people, the firm said at a press briefing. It will focus on the design, development, and sales of robocars, while Jidu Auto’s Beijing HQ will research and develop smart driving technologies, it added.

Xia also said Jidu Auto’s first brand experience center will open in Shanghai this year, and the company will have 46 showrooms across China by next year.

Formed in March last year, Jidu Auto unveiled its first concept robocar in June and said it will soon begin mass production, with deliveries scheduled to start in the second half of next year. Its second car model is likely to be delivered in 2024.

Baidu and Geely told Yicai Global at the end of June that despite parties connected with Baidu raising their interest in Jidu Auto to 100 percent, it remained a joint venture with no change in the pair’s respective stakes. Baidu owns 55 percent and Geely the rest.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Futura Costaglione