GM China Advanced Technical Center Phase I Opens in Shanghai

PRESS RELEASE

Shanghai – General Motors Chairman and CEO Daniel Akerson participated in today's opening of the first phase of the GM China Advanced Technical Center (ATC) in Shanghai. The new facility, which is adjacent to the GM International Operations and GM China Headquarters, will carry out important research and development for GM on a worldwide basis.

"The ATC is an integral component of GM's global technology development strategy," said Akerson. "As one of GM's most important and comprehensive technical and design facilities, it will lead GM's global research and development efforts in targeted areas. Working with our company's other technical centers, it will share the latest achievements and expertise to drive the innovation of tomorrow's technology."

The ATC is the most comprehensive advanced automotive technology development center in China. It will serve as the home of four key GM technical and design organizations: the China Science Lab, Vehicle Engineering Lab, Advanced Powertrain Engineering Lab and Advanced Design Center. When completed, the 65,000-square-meter ATC will include 62 test labs and 9 research labs. When fully staffed, the ATC will have more than 300 employees, including engineers, designers, researchers and technicians.

The first phase – the Advanced Materials Laboratory Building – includes a battery cell testing lab, battery material lab, metallography and electrochemical lab, cell fabrication lab, and micro-foundry and formability lab. It will focus on research in lightweight materials and battery cells for the development of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, extended-range electric vehicles and other advanced technology vehicles.

The ATC will share learnings and support ongoing engineering work at GM's Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint venture with SAIC in Shanghai as well as at GM's operations globally. It will leverage China-specific expertise throughout the GM network.

"The ATC reinforces GM's commitment to advanced technology leadership in China," said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. "It represents an important step forward for realizing GM's vision of sustainable mobility, which we showcased at World Expo 2010 Shanghai. It will ensure that GM keeps up with the needs of our local customers through the development of cutting-edge automotive technology that is cleaner, more efficient and affordable."

GM broke ground for the ATC in July 2010. The second phase is scheduled to open in the second half of 2012.

General Motors traces its roots back to 1908. GM has 11 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 35,000 employees in China. GM and its joint ventures offer the broadest lineup of vehicles and brands among automakers in China. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles are sold under the Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jiefang, Opel and Wuling brands. In 2010, GM sold more than 2.35 million vehicles in China, which represented 28.8 percent growth over the prior year. It has been the sales leader among global automakers in the market for six consecutive years. More information on General Motors in China can be found at GM Media Online.

GM to participate in Shanghai EV International Pilot City Partnership

General Motors signed a letter of intent to participate in the Shanghai EV International Pilot City Partnership during the 2011 International Forum on Electric Vehicle Pilot City and Industrial Development.

The Shanghai EV International Pilot City Partnership was organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers of China, the Jiading District Shanghai International Automobile City Management Committee Office and Tongji University. It will implement the EVI, which was jointly proposed by the governments of China and the United States at the Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Washington, DC, on 19-20 July 2010.

GM will help promote the demonstration and commercialization of electric vehicles by sharing its latest advanced technology achievements and expertise, contributing to the development of electric vehicle infrastructure and standards, facilitating international exchanges and promoting electric vehicles.

Source: Green Car Congress

More Information From GM Regarding the Chevrolet Sail Electric Vehicle

Chevrolet Sail Electric Concept Vehicle

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Whilst the U.S. and Europe get the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and 2012 Opel and Vauxhall Ampera, it seems all the full battery-electric vehicles are going to the Far East, and they're keeping fairly quiet about it.

A few months back we revealed GM's plans to test an electric version of the Chevrolet Cruze sedan in South Korea. The prototype uses a 31-kilowatt-hour battery pack and offers a range of up to 100 miles, competitive with the 2011 Nissan Leaf. Performance is competitive too, with an 8.2 second 0-60mph time, and a top speed of around 100mph.

Now, Shanghai GM has revealed the Sail electric concept vehicle. Developed by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automorive Center (PATAC), the Sail EV is based on a regular gasoline car of the same name that went on sale at the beginning of 2010. In terms of size, the Sail sits below the Cruze, but above the Spark.

Powered by a 64 kilowatt motor producing maximum torque of 162 lb/ft, the Sail should offer more than adequate performance for the "ordinary Chinese families" the car is targeted at. Maximum speed is less than the Cruze EV at 80 miles per hour, and range is a little less too at around 93 miles. In congested Chinese cities though, this should be more than enough. Some energy can be reclaimed though regenerative braking and an Intelligent Charging Assisting System maximizes the energy conversion ratio.

The Sail shouts louder about its electric powertrain than the Cruze did, with unique wheel designs, a streamlined body and some fancy graphics, which GM said has been "inspired by leaves", though presumably not those of a Nissan variety...

GM has said before that they're going to start producing electric cars in small numbers "for testing purposes". What the Sail and Cruze EVs tell us is that GM is serious about the electric car. GM branches all around the world are able to develop high technology products which will surely be of benefit to the company as a whole, as technical expertise from local partners such as PATAC is eventually shared worldwide.

Might this one day lead to a new GM EV1? We can only hope.



Source: AllCarsElectric