Vitesco Technologies, a German powertrain supplier, has recently inaugurated a new research and development centre in China, with a focus on advancing hardware and software for electric drives.
Situated at Vitesco Technologies’ production site in Changchun, Jilin province, the new R&D centre covers an area of nearly 8,000 square metres and houses twelve laboratories. The facility will be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge hardware and software, including battery management systems, to support the ongoing progress of electric powertrains.
See also: Vitesco recieves major order worth around two billion euros for electric vehicles drive system
The primary aim of this strategic move is to enhance Vitesco Technologies’ local research and development capabilities. This follows their previous initiative in Tianjin, where they established a research and development centre in 2021, dedicated to developing and testing electrified drive systems. With the continuous expansion of their R&D presence, the company seeks to foster a systematic development process, further driving innovation in the field.
Within the Changchun centre, a dedicated team of 500 employees will work on battery management systems, master controllers, zone controllers, and rotor position sensors. While these products will primarily serve the Chinese market in line with the localization strategy, they will also contribute to cutting-edge research solutions with broader applications.
Gregoire Cuny, the head of Vitesco Technologies China, emphasized the centre’s mission to develop low-carbon to zero-carbon powertrain products, underscoring their commitment to the Chinese market and reinforcing their advanced R&D capabilities in the region. Jiang Huaisheng, the general manager of the Changchun site, commended the timely construction of the R&D centre, which was completed in just 100 days with support from the city government and the economic development zone.
This milestone for Vitesco Technologies represents a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for the automotive industry in China and beyond. The collaborative efforts between the German company and its Chinese partners are poised to contribute to the ongoing development of electric powertrains, supporting the demand for eco-friendly mobility solutions.
