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GM opens center to drive up electric cars to China

GENERAL Motors Corp said it would further strengthen its new energy vehicles engineering capability in China to ride on growing demand and better compete with Toyota and Volkswagen.

The carmaker yesterday opened the first phase of its China Advanced Technical Center in Shanghai, which will be an important part of GM's global advanced technology engineering, said Dan Akerson, president and chief executive of GM.

The China ATC will focus on research in lightweight materials and battery cells for the future development of hybrids, electric cars and other advanced technology vehicles.

The creation of the engineering center gives GM an opportunity to speed up the development of electric cars by using vast resources and talents in China while rolling out models that could meet local demand.

China now lies at the center of GM's global strategy - a country where the government heavily promotes new energy vehicles, amid fast growing vehicle sales, to address energy security and emission concerns.

Yesterday, GM and its long-term Chinese partner SAIC Motor signed an agreement to jointly develop a new generation of electric car platforms in China.

"China is well suited for vehicle electrification and GM plans to be at the forefront at these efforts," said Mary Barra, senior vice president.

Akerson estimated China's auto market would grow with another 13 million units in the next 10 years, providing a huge potential for the carmaker's growth.

The second phase of the ATC is scheduled to open in the second half of next year, which will allow the center to hold more than 300 employees when it is completed.

According to GM's plan, the carmaker will start selling its Volt extended-range electric car in China in the fourth quarter of this year.

A fleet of Volts has been on a demonstration drive in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. GM is also testing a solar charging station concept in China under the partnership with General Electric.



 

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