object not set to instance of object when declaring a partial class

Hello experts,
I normally know how to fix this, and its usually because i forgot a new keyword somewhere.  That is not the case.  I am using a partial class that generates a serialized xml.  I create a new instance of the class but it is still telling me object not set to instance of an object.   I used the xsd tool to create the class from a provided schema.  The generated class is below, i took out a lot of unecessary variables.  I have never worked with partial classes so i am wondering if that is the cause.

In my code i call the below class like so:
Function create_receipt_xml(byval bod_id as string) As Boolean
        Dim as2 As New ShowReceiptInfo
        Dim serializer = New XmlSerializer(GetType(ShowReceiptInfo))

        Try
            as2.ApplicationArea.BODId = bod_id  'I get the object not set to instance of object here
            header_info ="test"
           Dim string_writer As New StringWriter()
            serializer.Serialize(string_writer, as2)
            Dim LogDir As String = System.Configuration.ConfigurationSettings.AppSettings("LogDirectory")
            Log_Files(LogDir, string_writer.ToString(), headerid)

            'Send_Transaction(string_writer.ToString(), HeaderId, strURL)
            string_writer.Close()
            string_writer.Dispose()
            as2 = Nothing
        Catch ex As Exception
            MessageBox.Show("Failed to create int100 xml! " & ex.Message)
        End Try
    End Function

'------------------------------------------------------------------------------
' <auto-generated>
'     This code was generated by a tool.
'     Runtime Version:2.0.50727.3615
'
'     Changes to this file may cause incorrect behavior and will be lost if
'     the code is regenerated.
' </auto-generated>
'------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Option Strict Off
Option Explicit On

Imports System.Xml.Serialization

'
'This source code was auto-generated by xsd, Version=2.0.50727.42.
'

'''<remarks/>
<System.CodeDom.Compiler.GeneratedCodeAttribute("xsd", "2.0.50727.42"), _
 System.SerializableAttribute(), _
 System.Diagnostics.DebuggerStepThroughAttribute(), _
 System.ComponentModel.DesignerCategoryAttribute("code"), _
 System.Xml.Serialization.XmlTypeAttribute(AnonymousType:=True, [Namespace]:="http://mycompany.com/manufac"), _
 System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute([Namespace]:="http://mycompany.com/ manufac ", IsNullable:=False)> _
Partial Public Class ShowReceiptInfo

    Private applicationAreaField As ShowReceiptInfoApplicationArea
    '''<remarks/>
    <System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElementAttribute(Form:=System.Xml.Schema.XmlSchemaForm.Unqualified)> _
    Public Property ApplicationArea() As ShowReceiptInfoApplicationArea
        Get
            Return Me.applicationAreaField
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As ShowReceiptInfoApplicationArea)
            Me.applicationAreaField = value
        End Set
    End Property

    End Property
End Class

'''<remarks/>
<System.CodeDom.Compiler.GeneratedCodeAttribute("xsd", "2.0.50727.42"),  _
 System.SerializableAttribute(),  _
 System.Diagnostics.DebuggerStepThroughAttribute(),  _
 System.ComponentModel.DesignerCategoryAttribute("code"),  _
 System.Xml.Serialization.XmlTypeAttribute(AnonymousType:=true, [Namespace]:="http://mycompany.com/manufac ")>  _
Partial Public Class ShowReceiptInfoApplicationArea
    
    Private bODIdField As String
    
<System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElementAttribute(Form:=System.Xml.Schema.XmlSchemaForm.Unqualified)>  _
    Public Property BODId() As String
        Get
            Return Me.bODIdField
        End Get
        Set
            Me.bODIdField = value
        End Set
    End Property
    
End Class

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