The R&D teams of IM Motors and Rising Auto, and power battery, smart driving, and chassis technology programs, will be relocated to SAIC's R&D innovation headquarters, according to local media.

SAIC Motor Corp (SHA: 600104) is reportedly preparing to consolidate the R&D operations of its two electric vehicle (EV) sub-brands, IM Motors and Rising Auto, in a bid to improve efficiency and pursue lower costs.

SAIC is planning to integrate the R&D operations of IM Motors and Rising Auto into SAIC Motor R&D Innovation Headquarters, local media outlet 36kr said in a report yesterday, citing multiple sources.

The R&D teams of IM Motors and Rising Auto, as well as the power battery, intelligent driving, and chassis technology programs, will be relocated to the R&D Innovation Headquarters, the report said, citing a source familiar with the matter.

SAIC Motor R&D Innovation Headquarters was established on March 2, 2022, and SAIC said at the time that the unit had an independent R&D team of more than 10,000 people.

The unit provides vehicle development services to sub-brands including Roewe, MG, IM Motors, and Rising Auto, and has separate financial and personnel systems.

Unlike Roewe and MG, whose R&D is entirely led by the SAIC Motor R&D Innovation Headquarters, IM Motors and Rising Auto will have some autonomy, according to 36kr.

On top of vehicle development, some of IM Motors and Rising Auto's R&D can be decided on their own, the report said, citing another person familiar with the matter.

Following the realignment, new product development for both IM Motors and Rising Auto will be handled by SAIC Motor R&D Innovation Headquarters, according to the report.

The benefit of this approach is that it will shorten the development cycle of technologies, which in turn will allow them to be put into use faster and improve R&D efficiency, the report noted.

Additionally, this also helps to smooth out R&D costs, thereby reducing costs, the report said.

IM Motors' solid-state battery business and Rising Auto's battery swap business, as well as the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) program, have been given higher priority by the SAIC Motor R&D Innovation Headquarters, according to the report.

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