GM opens global R&D facility in Shanghai
has made its next great leap forward into the global hybrid and EV marketGM has made its next great leap forward into the global hybrid and EV market with the opening of its China Advanced Technical Centre (ATC) in Shanghai.
The announcement comes just a day after the US giant ratified an EV development joint venture with Chinese partner SAIC Motor.
Coming 14 months after the building commenced, this is the first phase in a staged rollout of what GM claims will eventually be the most comprehensive automotive research and development centre in China. Sitting adjacent to GM's International Operations and China Headquarters, the ATC will constitute the global nerve centre for the company's R&D activities.
When completed, the 65,000 square metre facility will embody four key sub-sections: the China Science Lab, the Vehicle Engineering Lab, the Advanced Powertrain Engineering Lab and the Advanced Design Centre.
Between them, these will incorporate 62 test labs and nine research labs. It will employ more than 300 engineers, designers, researchers, technicians and admin staff.
This first phase, the Advanced Materials Laboratory Building, focuses on battery technologies, particularly in the areas of lightweight materials, cell and range-extender development for hybrids, EVs and PHEVs. It incorporates labs for a battery cell testing, materials, metallography and electrochemical processes, cell fabrication, micro-foundry and formability.
"The ATC is an integral component of GM's global technology development strategy," said chairman and CEO Daniel Akerson in opening the centre. "As one of GM's most important and comprehensive technical and design facilities, it will lead GM's global research and development efforts in targeted areas. Working with our company's other technical centres, it will share the latest achievements and expertise to drive the innovation of tomorrow's technology."
Among the key recipients of its findings will be GM's Pan Asia Technical Automotive Centre (PATAC) joint venture with SAIC in Shanghai – particularly important in building GM's presence in China, a market requiring not just scale but locale-specific expertise.
"It represents an important step forward for realising GM's vision of sustainable mobility, which we showcased at World Expo 2010 Shanghai," said Kevin Wale, president and MD of GM's China operations. "It will ensure that GM keeps up with the needs of our local customers through the development of cutting-edge automotive technology that is cleaner, more efficient and affordable."
The ATC's next phase is scheduled to open in the second half of 2012.
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