SAIC and GM sign agreement to co-develop new electric-vehicle architecture
General Motors and SAIC Motor Corp. signed an agreement today in Shanghai for the co-development of a new electric-vehicle architecture in China.
“The Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) – SAIC and GM’s engineering and design joint venture in Shanghai – will serve as the development center for the architecture,” GM Said in a statement. “Joint teams from the parent companies will also cooperate on the development of key components and vehicle structures.”
As a part of the agreement, SAIC will leverage its market knowledge and local expertise, while GM will focus on electric vehicle development and global know-how.
“The co-development of this new electric vehicle architecture demonstrates the broad range of benefits made possible by the strong partnership between SAIC and GM,” said Tim Lee, president of GM International Operations. “For almost 15 years, our two companies have forged some of the industry’s most successful joint ventures. This unprecedented level of cooperation is another demonstration of our companies’ commitment to work collaboratively.”
The new electric vehicle architecture will be the first to be co-developed by the two companies. The agreement will let teams from SAIC, GM and PATAC engineers to work together to develop key components, as well as vehicle structures and architectures.
Vehicles that result from the partnership will be sold in China under Shanghai GM and SAIC brands. Both companies will also use the architecture to build electric vehicles around the globe for their own purposes. Details and timing about the vehicles will be announced at a later date.
– By: Omar Rana