General Motors has made its tech plans for China official and the key words are electrification, intelligent driving and connectivity.
GM announced its China technology rollout plan with an immersive display at the PATAC Design Dome in Shanghai and virtual presentations from the Warren Design Dome in Michigan. At the Tech Day event, China’s version of GM’s EV Day held in March in Warren, the carmaker talked about the technologies developed globally that are relevant for the world’s largest car market.
Those included General Motors’ new global EV platform, the Ultium battery system and next-generation EVs to be launched in China. More importantly, GM listed its ambitious goals for China.
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First and foremost, The General says that more than 40% of its new launches in China in the next five years will be electrified models. All of them will be built in China, with nearly all parts coming from local suppliers.
Those will include the Ultium battery system and third-generation global electric platform which will feature “highly localized manufacturing and supply chain in China to enhance quality and cost competitiveness”.
When it comes to intelligent driving, GM’s second tech pillar for China, the carmaker will continue to rollout and upgrade the Super Cruise driver assistance system. By mid-decade, the entire Cadillac lineup will feature Super Cruise, and GM will offer it on Buick and Chevrolet models too in China.
As for connectivity, GM will accelerate the development of China-specific solutions for intelligent connected vehicles, with its first global vehicle-to-everything (V2X) program launching this year on a Buick GL8 MPV for China. Furthermore, nearly all Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet vehicles sold in the country will be connected via flexible platforms and industry-leading scale.
GM also pledges to “capitalize on mega-trends like 5G, artificial intelligence, smart cities and big data”. For example, 5G will be available on all new Cadillac models and most Chevy and Buick models going forward. Over-the-air updates will make the most up-to-date connected services possible.
“As GM’s largest market and a global center of innovation, China will play a crucial role in making our vision a reality,” said Mary Barra, chairman and CEO of GM. “With our joint venture partner SAIC, we are blending global insights and scale with local market expertise to redefine what is possible for our customers and for society.”