Ambitious drive to build tech and innovative hub
SHANGHAI aims to enhance development of the automobile sector by cooperating with Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces to further boost the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region.
The city is boosting links with the three provinces in the delta region to create an industry cluster in new-energy vehicles, intelligent and connected cars as well as better allocate resources and collaborate on research, talent and innovation to transform the area into a world-class technological and innovative hub.
Shanghai is the core city in the delta region as several auto companies have set up their headquarters in the city and manufacturing plants in the three provinces.
“Shanghai will continue to play a leading role in the integrated development of the region. The city will facilitate resource allocation with Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces,” Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang said, adding that the city will also lead in planning, coordinating strategies and driving projects.
Shanghai-based auto firms said they gain from the region’s integrated development and are bullish on its future prospects.
China’s largest automaker SAIC Motor Co has set up its automobile, auto-parts, services and auto finance industry chain in the region. The company has around 200 subsidiary companies and production bases in the region.
“SAIC Motor Co has taken full advantage of the region including natural resources and talent resources to enhance its overall competitiveness. In the future, SAIC Motor will continue to focus on the innovation and enhance research and development capability in the region,” Zu Sijie, deputy chief engineer of SAIC Motor Co, said.
“Efforts will be made to build a high-end manufacturing industry cluster of new-energy vehicles, intelligent and connected cars,” he added.
Shanghai-based electric car startup NIO will manufacture electric vehicles with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co in Anhui Province. NIO also has three plants in Jiangsu Province to produce, conduct research and development into electric drive system.
William Li, founder and chairman of NIO, said that “the region is expected to become a world innovation hub for intelligent and electric cars. Most of the country’s leading auto-parts companies are located in the region.”
Shanghai-based WM Motor Technology Co has set up its intelligent manufacturing base in Zhejiang Province and core supply chain in Jiangsu Province.
Shen Hui, the company’s founder, said that “we can better allocate our resources and achieve rapid development thanks to the integrated development of the region. Our vehicles are all Internet-connected. The region is set to further accelerate the development of 5G applications suitable for connected vehicles.”