Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co began construction of its new-energy car manufacturing base in Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou province, on Tuesday.

The factory is the first passenger car manufacturing base in Guizhou province. Geely is aiming to make its first methanol-powered car in 2017.

The 0.6-square-kilometer factory will consist of a modernized production line of punching press, welding, painting and assembly, and will make finished methanol-powered automobiles. The total investment is around 10.2 billion yuan ($1.6 billion).