The yawning disparity between the performance of the electric car company and established automakers last year reflects the technological change roiling the industry.
Senator Marco Rubio criticized the electric carmaker for opening the outlet in a region where China has been accused of targeting Muslims.
The electric-car maker managed substantial growth as Europe and China increasingly propelled sales.
Beijing gave CATL lavish subsidies, a captive market of buyers and soft regulatory treatment, helping it to control a crucial technology of the future.
The company, which began trading on the stock exchange last month, said it lost $1.2 billion in the third quarter.
The company will make electric pickups at an existing plant and batteries at a factory built with a partner, a person with knowledge of the plan said.
The plant, which will employ 1,750 people, will be located outside of Greensboro.
The electric car company is helping Chinese companies become global players in the emerging industry, posing a competitive threat to traditional rivals.
Ford remains an investor, but its own E.V. development plans have progressed since the partnership was announced.
The automaker also reported a big jump in revenue, to $13.8 billion from $8.8 billion a year ago, as sales of the Model Y continue to rise.