Bangkok--21 Jul--Weber Shandwick
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.”
About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, USA., GM employs 217,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
For further information, please visit www.gmthailand.com and www.chevrolet.co.th
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Sasinan Allmand
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