Shanghai (ZXZC)- On August 27, Aptiv signed an agreement to establish a new R&D center in the Changshu National New & Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, aiming to boost the local automotive and components industry's presence in the emerging smart driving sector.

Photo credit: Aptiv

The Changshu center will be Aptiv's third R&D hub in China, following its existing facilities in Shanghai and Suzhou cities. This new center, part of the company's Active Safety & User Experience division, will focus on developing advanced software and hardware technologies for next-generation automotive platforms. These technologies will encompass active safety, intelligent connectivity, cybersecurity, infotainment, and user experience systems. Additionally, the center will house Aptiv's China Data Center and Testing Center, marking a significant step in the company's strategy to enhance its footprint in China's intelligent and connected vehicle sector.

During the signing ceremony, Qin Meng, Mayor of Changshu city, highlighted Aptiv's longstanding presence in China. With over 30 years of experience in the market, Aptiv is known for its comprehensive solutions in automotive "brain" and "nervous system" technologies. The establishment of the R&D center in Changshu is expected to significantly enhance Aptiv's market share and competitiveness, while addressing critical gaps in the local automotive and components industry. Mayor Qin emphasized the city's commitment to supporting Aptiv's growth through high-quality infrastructure, efficient logistics, and a robust industrial ecosystem. He also expressed hope that Aptiv would advance its R&D efforts with high standards and efficiency, leveraging its leadership to attract more upstream and downstream enterprises within the industry chain to settle in Changshu.

Simon Yang, President of Aptiv China and Asia-Pacific, described Changshu as a "land of prosperity" and a fertile ground for leading technology companies. He noted that Changshu, located in the Yangtze River Delta, was among the first cities in the region to develop an automotive industry, offering a well-established automotive ecosystem. The new Changshu R&D Center is set to complement Aptiv's existing centers in Shanghai and Suzhou, creating a synergistic network that will capitalize on the advantages of the "Yangtze River Delta Integration" strategy. This move aims to better serve Aptiv’s automotive clients in China and further develop the region's automotive industry ecosystem.