Shanghai (ZXZC)- Great Wall Holdings Group Limited struck a cooperation deal with Jiading District Government of Shanghai on August 15 for launching its Eastern China (Shanghai) headquarters at Jiading, one of the most important automotive industrial bases for China.

(Photo source: Great Wall Motors)

As the second biggest R&D center for Great Wall Motors, the yet-to-be-launched headquarters will play as a multifunctional facility integrating four major businesses—hydrogen energy, core auto parts, car-sharing as well as intelligent connectivity. Besides, a project company will be established at Anting Town as part of the cooperation.

Focusing on new energy vehicle and ICV (intelligent-connected vehicle) fields, Jiading District's automobile industry is reportedly able to generate up to RMB460 billion worth of value on an annual basis.

On October 19, SAIC Volkswagen kicked off the construction of its first NEV plant at the district. Involving a total investment of RMB17 billion, the new NEV plant would be put into operation in 2020 with a planned annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles.

Up until now, over 100 OEMs, auto parts supplier, NEV manufacturers and connected-vehicle core technology developers, such as SAIC Motor, NIO, Porsche Engineering and Pininfarina, have built their presence at the Jiading-based Auto Innovation Park of Shanghai International Automobile City.

Wei Jianjun, chairman of Great Wall Holdings Group Limited, stated that the Jiading base will be developed relying on vigorous endeavors from enterprises and research institutions, and will be dedicated to introducing such high-tech industries as hydrogen, core components, sharing mobility service and intelligent connectivity and talents with world's leading expertise and international vision into Jiading District.

The hydrogen energy division of the Jiading headquarters will specialize in the R&D, trial manufacturing and production of hydrogen technologies, fuel cell complete vehicles, fuel cell system and related auto parts, according to the agreement.

Based on OLA Sharing, the mobility service platform of Great Wall Motors, the Shanghai facility aims to build a car-sharing and intelligent mobility service network serving the whole East China Region.