GM China Breaks Ground For Advanced Tech Center In Shanghai

by William Maley
Jul 21st, 2010

General Motors China has just announced that it broke ground for the GM China Advanced Technical Center. The facility, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2011, will be right next door to GM China International Operations and GM China Headquarters in Shanghai. It will house 62 test labs, 9 research labs, and 300 employees, including designers, researchers, engineers and technicians.

Among other things, the GM China Advanced Tech Center will “develop advanced vehicle designs and technology solutions for GM on a domestic and global basis.” It will be an integral part of GM’s global engineering and design network, reinforcing GM’s vision to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles. It will enhance GM’s engineering and product development partnerships in China, including the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai and the China Automotive Energy Research Center (CAERC) in Beijing.

“As an integral element of our global product development strategy, the GM China Advanced Technical Center will create advanced technologies and lead GM’s global research in targeted areas. We expect it to become one of GM’s most important and comprehensive technical and design facilities worldwide,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group.

GM China Breaks Ground for Advanced Technical Center in Shanghai

2010-07-19

Shanghai – As part of the completion of its corporate campus, which opened in 2009, General Motors broke ground this morning for the GM China Advanced Technical Center.

The new facility, which will be adjacent to the GM China International Operations and GM China Headquarters in Shanghai, will develop advanced vehicle designs and technology solutions for GM on a domestic and global basis. It will be part of GM’s global engineering and design network, and support GM’s vision to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles.

“As an integral element of our global product development strategy, the GM China Advanced Technical Center will create advanced technologies and lead GM’s global research in targeted areas,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. “We expect it to become one of GM’s most important and comprehensive technical and design facilities worldwide.”

The GM China Advanced Technical Center will include 62 test labs and nine research labs. It will be home to four key research and design organizations:

* The China Science Lab, which was launched in 2009, is engaged in research and technology development that should lead to applications over five to 15 years. Its focus is on advanced propulsion system research, manufacturing process research, megacity smart traffic research, customer-driven advanced vehicle development, battery cell material and fabrication research, and lightweight material research.
* The Vehicle Engineering Lab will localize technology for the Chinese market. It will carry out the testing and development of electric vehicles, research on alternative energy vehicles, research and development of battery technology in conjunction with Chinese suppliers, and product development featuring advanced technology and design solutions with GM’s domestic joint ventures.
* The Advanced Powertrain Engineering Lab will carry out research and development work on advanced propulsion systems, including electrification technology, alternatives to petroleum-based fuels in conventional powertrains, and unique conventional powertrains for the local market, as well as development and testing of new materials for powertrain products.
* The Advanced Design Center will play a significant role supporting GM’s global design resources, with a focus on meeting local needs. Its world-class capability will include a digital visualization center and secure indoor and outdoor viewing/exhibition areas. It will gather and analyze information on automotive, fashion and other design trends in the Chinese and regional markets to support vehicle development.

Construction of the GM China Advanced Technical Center will be completed by the end of 2011. Within five years, it is expected to have more than 300 employees, including designers, researchers, engineers and technicians. The new facility will complement GM’s engineering and product development partnerships in China, including the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai and the China Automotive Energy Research Center (CAERC) in Beijing.

According to Wale, “As a global technology leader and the global industry leader in China, GM is committed to working with the Chinese government, industry partners and the academic community in the development of tomorrow’s vehicles. By joining forces, we can accelerate the arrival of sustainable transportation and remove the motor vehicle from the environmental equation.”