
Photo: VCG
Chinese drone maker SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. plans to start building drones at a factory in California amid security concerns raised by some U.S. lawmakers.
The plant, DJI’s first overseas drone assembly line, has completed trial production and is awaiting U.S. regulatory approval, the company said Monday.
Xie Tian, DJI’s public relations chief, said DJI will deepen cooperation with American suppliers for the factory and further expand its market in the U.S.
DJI, the world’s largest producer of consumer drones, is under fire in the U.S. as officials and experts questioning its security. At a hearing last week, Republican Senator Rick Scott suggested that the U.S. should outlaw the sale of Chinese-made drones. DJI holds around 80% of the U.S. consumer drone market.
In an open letter, Mario Rebello, DJI vice president and regional manager for North America, said it is "incorrect” to assert that DJI products could pose risks to customer data.
Related: Chinese Drone-Maker Responds to U.S. Government's Security Concerns