Audi and SAIC Motor have established a Shanghai-based development hub to engineer intelligent electric vehicles tailored exclusively for the Chinese market.
Operating as the AUDI Innovation & Technology Center (AITC), the facility will handle full-cycle vehicle engineering with a dedicated team of around 300 staff.
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The initiative deepens the long-standing alliance between the German carmaker and China’s state-owned automotive group, evolving their cooperation from joint manufacturing and component sourcing into comprehensive, localised vehicle architecture and software development.
AITC’s engineering mandate centres on software-defined and AI-driven platforms, alongside vehicle dynamics, handling, intelligent cabin environments, and advanced driver-assistance systems.
Under this initiative, the partners intend to co-develop four bespoke electric models utilising the Audi ADP 2.0 (Advanced Digitized Platform 2.0) architecture.
Representing the marque’s second production wave in the country, the first of these new vehicles will enter the market in 2028.
As reported by China Daily, Audi China president Johannes Roscheck said: “We are bringing together Audi’s German engineering precision with local market innovation to deliver customer-centric premium mobility solutions.
“Our strengthened R&D footprint will further elevate our competitiveness with distinctive Audi DNA in China.”
SAIC Motor vice-president and chief engineer Zu Sijie added: “Rooted in China and embracing a global vision, we are committed to injecting strong innovative momentum into the AUDI brand with new thinking, new models and new technologies.”
Unveiled in 2024 as a localised sub-brand, AUDI introduced its first road-going model, the E5 Sportback, in 2025 before adding the E7X this year.
A third vehicle is scheduled to debut in 2027 ahead of the AITC-engineered models arriving the following year.
