In 2021, SAIC Motor, the Chinese largest automaker, and its subsidiaries make significant headway in the development of premium EV brand, mobility service, financing progress, new technologies and hydrogen business.

We hereby selected some noteworthy stories for you reviewing SAIC's experience last year.

SAIC Motor invests in domestic automotive chip supplier Flagchip

China's automotive chip supplier Flagchip announced in late Dec. it had completed its latest investment round with SAIC Motor-backed and Xiaomi- backed ventures as investors.

SAIC Motor, CATL's battery system JV sees birth of first CTP tech-enabled battery pack

United Auto Battery System Corp., a 51/49 joint venture between SAIC Motor and CATL, put its first CTP (Cell to Pack) battery pack assembly line into operation in early Dec. with the first mass-produced E2 battery pack rolling off the line on the same day, according to a post on the joint venture's WeChat account.

SAIC Motor-backed Xiangdao Chuxing launches Robotaxi pilot operation in Shanghai

Xiangdao Chuxing, SAIC Motor's mobility arm that features L4 autonomous driving operations, has officially started a demonstration Robotaxi operation in Shanghai, the auto group announced on Dec. 7.

SAIC Motor's fuel cell tech arm SHPT to go public on STAR Market

SAIC Motor announced on Nov.25 its plan to spin off its fuel cell tech development unit, Shanghai Hydrogen Propulsion Technology Co., Ltd. (SHPT), and make the arm go public on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (the "STAR" Market) of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

SAIC Motor's Feifan Auto makes debut at Auto Guangzhou 2021

SAIC Motor's Feifan Auto makes its debut at the Auto Guangzhou 2021 with its R7 SUV, marking its first time to participate in a public event after the name change (former R Auto).

Bosch-backed UAES teams up with SAIC Z-ONE

In early Nov., UAES, Bosch's joint venture with Zhonglian Automobile Electronics Co.,Ltd., has recently reached a strategic agreement with SAIC Z-ONE, the software arm of SAIC Motor, to explore centralization possibilities of automotive computing power and functions.

SAIC Motor's new branch to run R Auto independently

SAIC Motor announced on Oct. 29 the launch of a new company to be responsible for the independent operation for its R brand.

The new company, named Feifan Auto, has a registered capital of 7 billion yuan ($1.1 billion). SAIC Motor owns 95% of the company’s stake, while the rest 5% belongs to employee equities,. Besides, SAIC Mobility's head Wu Bing was named as the subsidiary’s CEO.

SAIC's Z-ONE to build joint innovation hub with ZTE for auto OS, chips, 5G-V2X tech

Z-ONE, SAIC Motor's software unit, signed on Oct. 26 a strategic cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ZTE Corporation to build a joint innovation center dedicated to the R&D of in-car operating systems, automotive-grade chips, 5G-V2X-enabled auto communications, and other technologies, according to a post on SAIC Motor's WeChat account.

Horizon Robotics, SAIC Z-ONE cooperate in intelligent driving solutions development

On Oct. 25, China’s AI chip developer Horizon Robotics joined hands with SAIC Motor’s software arm SAIC Z-ONE to explore new-generation automobile architecture and intelligent driving computing solutions.

SAIC-GM Ultium factory starts production

SAIC General Motors (SAIC-GM) announced in mid-Oct. its Ultium super factory (Ultium Center) in Shanghai started operation, providing strong support for the production of those battery electric vehicles built on the Ultium platform.

SAIC to build plant in Inner Mongolia with annual capacity of over 10k hydrogen trucks

The unveiling ceremony for SAIC Hongyan Co.,Ltd.'s Inner Mongolia branch and Inner Mongolia Hydrogen Propulsion Technology Co., Ltd. was held on October 13, marking the launch of SAIC Motor's project targeting over 10,000 hydrogen heavy-duty trucks in annual production volume.

SAIC Motor becomes direct shareholder of Iveco's joint venture in China

Nanjing Iveco Automobile Co.,Ltd. (Naveco), a Nanjing-based company principally engaging in manufacturing light-duty commercial vehicles, recently introduced SAIC Motor as a director investor, according to the company information inquiry platform Tianyancha.

The information was unveiled after SAIC Motor announced in late Sept. it had completed the acquisition of stake in Naveco.

SAIC Motor's Ningde plant reaches annual capacity of 240,000 PVs

SAIC Motor's car assembly plant in Ningde, Fujian province was currently able to output 240,000 new vehicles per year and its annual capacity can peak at 300,000 units, the automaker said in late Sept. when celebrating the 2nd anniversary for the factory's production commencement.

SAIC Audi puts A7L into production

On September 26, the Audi A7L, the first mass-produced model of SAIC-Audi project, was formally put into production at SAIC VW's plant in Anting Town, Shanghai, and the presale of its 55TFSI version kicked off at the same time with a presale starting price of 599,700 yuan ($94,620).

SAIC Z-ONE, Technomous to co-develop integrated smart cabin HPC

SAIC Z-ONE announced in late Sept. a collaboration with Technomous to develop cloud-pipe-device integrated smart cabin HPC (high performance computing) based on SAIC Z-ONE's  Galaxy Full-stack Solution 3.0.

SAIC-GM releases all-new brand emblem

SAIC General Motors (SAIC-GM), a 50/50 joint venture between SAIC Motor and General Motors, announced on Sept. 16 it has switched to a fire new brand logo, demonstrating the automaker's transformation towards auto electrification, intelligence, and connectivity.

In the meantime, SAIC-GM announced that GM's Ultium EV platform, which features modular battery and drive unit combinations, is named “Aoteneng” in Chinese.

SAIC Motor aims to peak carbon emissions, sell 2.7 million NEVs annually by 2025

Driven by China's goals of hitting peak carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, SAIC Motor aims to sell over 2.7 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) per year by 2025, making NEVs account for over 32% of the group's total car sales, Wang Xiaoqiu, President of SAIC Motor, said on Sept. 16 at the 2021 WNEVC (World New Energy Vehicle Congress).

SAIC Motor invests in Momenta’s new funding round

SAIC Motor participated in the new financing round of Chinese leading autonomous driving startup Momenta after it became the startup’s biggest institutional investor in March, the automaker announced on Sept. 15 without disclosing the amount of the investment.

SAIC Motor sets up CV smart driving tech company

On August 26, SAIC Motor announced the foundation of a commercial vehicle (CV) intelligent driving technology company dubbed Shanghai Youdao Zhitu Technology Co.,Ltd. (called “Youdao Zhitu” for short), which will be located in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lin-gang Special Area.

SAIC Motor unveils application for new battery technology patent

SAIC Motor published in mid-Aug. an application for a new patent about battery-related technology through the website of China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). The application was still in the "patent pending" status then.

SAIC Motor forms tie-up with ZTE for ‘software-defined’ vehicles

SAIC Motor in early Aug. signed a framework agreement with ZTE Corporation, a major global provider of telecommunications and information technologies, for the strategic collaboration on building “software-defined” vehicles.

SAIC Motor's mobility service platform Xiangdao Chuxing launches fund to raise 500 million yuan

Xiangdao Chuxing announced on August 4 the launch a special asset-backed project dubbed “Xiaodao No.1”, which is intended for raising 500 million yuan ($78.6 million).

SAIC Z-ONE, SemiDrive team up on chip development, customization

SAIC Z-ONE announced on August 2 the strategic partnership it formed with Chinese automotive SoC (system-on-chip) developer SemiDrive for the joint development and customization of chips.

SAIC Z-ONE teams up with iFLYTEK for AI, SOA, big data businesses

On July 28, SAIC Z-ONE inked a framework agreement with the Chinese leading AI and speed technology company iFLYTEK to carry out strategic cooperation on AI technology, SOA (service-oriented architecture) platform, intelligent hardware, voice technology, and big data, according to a post on SAIC Z-ONE's WeChat account.

SAIC Motor partners with Ordos to build fuel cell truck industrial chain

SAIC Motor announced on July 20 it has inked an agreement with Inner Mongolia's Ordos municipal government for the investment in projects about new energy vehicle (NEV)-related industrial chain.

According to the agreement, during the 14th five-year plan period (2021-2025), SAIC Motor and its subsidiaries, SAIC Hongyan and SHPT (Shanghai Hydrogen Propulsion Technology Co., Ltd.), will pour a total of 2 billion yuan ($314.4 million) in the building of an industrial chain for fuel cell-powered heavy-duty trucks in Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos city.

SAIC Audi, Alibaba Cloud to ally on digital marketing, IoV businesses

SAIC Audi and Alibaba Cloud signed a memorandum of cooperation on July 15 to co-work on businesses related to Uni Marketing, IoV (Internet of Vehicles), digital ecosystem, and smart logistics service, according to a post on Alibaba Cloud's Sina Weibo account.

SAIC Motor's new vision eyes user-centric high tech firm

SAIC Motor announced on June 15 the update of its brand identity and launched an all-new corporate vision with the aim of becoming a user-centric high-technology enterprise.

SAIC Motor PV, BOE Varitronix to ally on smart in-car display

SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle (SAIC Motor PV) and BOE Varitronix Limited, a HK-listed supplier of automotive display products, entered into a strategic partnership in June to co-boost the innovation of the products related to in-car display and interaction technologies, aiming to build a new smart mobility ecosystem based on intelligent auto cockpit.

SAIC-GM-Wuling responds to China's three-child policy with plan to launching 9-seater vehicle

SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), a joint venture between General Motors and two Chinese automakers, announced on June 3 it is about to launch an all-new nine-seater vehicle model to meet the future travelling demands from larger families, appearing to be the first car manufacturer respond directly to China's three-child policy by releasing a new product.

Bright spots of SAIC's self-owned brands at Auto Shanghai 2021

At the Auto Shanghai 2021, SAIC Motor's self-owned PV brands—Roewe, MG and R Auto—all brought their newest products. Notably, the auto giant also caused many heads to turn with an independent booth particularly set for the newborn EV brand IM.

SAIC, Alibaba-backed EV brand IM begins presale of first model L7

At the Auto Shanghai 2021, IM, the premium EV brand SAIC Motor jointly develops with Alibaba and Shanghai's Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Group, announced that the “Angle Round” version of the L7, its first mass-produced model, is priced at 408,800 yuan ($64,260) for presale. The vehicle is expected for delivery in the first quarter of 2022.

SAIC's Z-ONE launches SOA digital platform for software developers

Z-ONE launched the SOA (service-oriented architecture) digital platform on April 9, which allows software developers to code and release car-based applications in an app store, and car owners to download and install them in their vehicles.

SAIC Motor, Tencent jointly set up cybersecurity lab

On April 8, SAIC Motor and Tencent officially launched a cybersecurity lab through which they will carry out in-depth collaboration on such fields as ICV (intelligent-connected vehicle)-related cybersecurity standards, attack & defense technologies as well as cybersecurity R&D and operation.

SAIC Volkswagen's MEB-based ID.4 X hits market

SAIC Volkswagen's fire new full-electric SUV ID.4 X formally hit the market on March 25. Coming with six variants in total, the new model is priced between 199,900 yuan ($31,420) and 272,900 yuan ($42,900) after subsidies.

SAIC Motor's R brand rolls out new tech brand ‘R-TECH’

SAIC Motor launched on March 18 the all-new technology brand “R-TECH” to serve the vehicles under the R brand, the group's high-end all-electric passenger vehicle marque.

Momenta draws capital from SAIC, Toyota, Bosch, others

Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta announced on March 19 it has raised $500 million for its Series C funding, which is led by SAIC Motor, Toyota, Bosch, Temasek and YunFeng Capital. Other investors include Mercedes-Benz, GGV Capital, ShunWei Capital, Tencent and Cathay Capital.

SAIC PV, Horizon Robotics team up on developing smart & connected vehicles

SAIC Motor PV claimed on Feb. 22 it entered into an all-around partnership earlier this month with Horizon Robotics, a leading Chinese AI provider, to jointly explore cutting-edge technologies related to auto intelligentization and co-develop smart & connected vehicles.

SAIC, Alibaba-backed premium EV brand “IM” makes world’s debut

The premium auto brand “IM” (dubbed “Zhiji Motor” in Chinese) jointly developed by SAIC Motor, Alibaba and Shanghai's Pudong New Area was formally launched on Jan. 13. Meanwhile, two concept models under “IM” were unveiled at the same time.