Audi and its Chinese partner SAIC have opened the AUDI Innovation & Technology Center (AITC) in Shanghai to support development of the China-exclusive AUDI brand.
The facility will act as the brand’s central engineering hub, overseeing vehicle programmes from concept definition to readiness for series production.
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Its work will include advanced driver assistance systems and artificial intelligence-based in-cabin technologies.
These will cover multimodal controls, agentic capabilities, and personalised digital functions.
The AITC is collaborating with a Chinese AI and cloud platform to incorporate AI models into vehicle architecture at an early development stage.
Its team is also working on the second generation of the Advanced Digitized Platform for future AUDI production vehicles.
AUDI management board chairman Gernot Döllner said: “China is a key market for Audi and one of the most dynamic innovation hubs in the automotive industry. To succeed here, we need to develop close to our customers and rapidly translate new technologies into compelling products.
“Together with our partner SAIC, the new technology centre strengthens exactly these capabilities. In doing so, we are making a targeted investment in our long-term competitiveness in China.”
The centre has around 300 employees. Matthias Pfister is general manager, while Shan Yunwei is deputy general manager.
The opening is part of Audi’s China strategy, which includes two joint venture partners and two brand identities.
Created for the Chinese market in 2024, the capitalised AUDI brand combines Audi’s chassis, safety, and vehicle dynamics engineering with SAIC’s digital architecture and software capabilities.
AUDI introduced the E5 Sportback as its first production model in 2025, followed by the E7X all-electric SUV in May 2026.
A third model is planned to complete the brand’s first-generation line-up.
The Shanghai site brings research, vehicle development, and over-the-air software capabilities together to reduce model development times and address local premium-segment demand.
Audi and SAIC Cooperation CEO Fred Schulze added: “With the new technology centre, we can translate their expectations into our products even more consistently, from the initial idea to software and driver assistance, all the way to continuous digital updates.”
