Audi, SAIC establish innovation and technology center in Shanghai

Audi said on Thursday it has set up a technology center with SAIC Motor in Shanghai, strengthening the German automaker's local research and development capabilities for the Chinese market.

The AUDI Innovation & Technology Center will have full-vehicle development and end-to-end R&D capabilities dedicated exclusively to the AUDI brand, the electric vehicle marque jointly developed by Audi and SAIC for China.

The AITC, which will have a team of around 300 members, will focus on intelligent electrification technologies and the development of software-defined vehicles and AI-defined vehicles.

Its core research areas will include vehicle engineering and driving dynamics, AI-powered smart cabins and next-generation advanced driver assistance systems tailored for Chinese premium car buyers.

"This is a historic milestone for the AUDI brand," said Fred Schulze, CEO of Audi and SAIC Cooperation and chairman of the board of directors of AITC.

"The new AITC will become the innovation driver for our next generation of products. With the ADP 2.0 now in development, we are creating new product DNA tailored for this market."

Audi and SAIC plan to jointly develop four all-new AUDI models based on the next generation of the Advanced Digitized Platform, or ADP, an architecture designed for future intelligent connected vehicles.

The new models will expand the AUDI portfolio in China, with the first scheduled to hit the market from 2028 onwards. The brand has so far launched two models: the E5 Sportback and the E7X.

Johannes Roscheck, president of Audi China, said the establishment of the center demonstrates the company's long-term commitment to China.

"We are bringing together Audi's German engineering precision with local market innovation to deliver customer-centric premium mobility solutions," Roscheck said.

"Our strengthened R&D footprint will further elevate our competitiveness with distinctive Audi DNA in China."

Zu Sijie, vice-president and chief engineer of SAIC Motor, said the cooperation aims to set a new benchmark for intelligent premium electric vehicles.

"Rooted in China and embracing a global vision, we are committed to injecting strong innovative momentum into the AUDI brand with new thinking, new models and new technologies," Zu said.