Shanghai Automotive Industries Corporation USA (SAIC USA) has unveiled its new North American Operations Centre in Birmingham. The new centre is an SAIC hub for purchasing, international logistics and design engineering.

The company said that it marked ‘an important step in creating a stronger connection between the US and Chinese automotive industries’.

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With the increasing importance of cooperation between the major global automotive markets, this move by SAIC to strengthen its US presence is significant, SAIC said in a statement.

SAIC said that an inauguration ceremony held earlier this month was attended by senior executives from General Motors, SAIC Motor in Shanghai, major automotive suppliers and partners from the US and China, as well as the Governor of Michigan, Mr Rick Snyder and Oakland (MI) County Executive, Mr L. Brooks Patterson.

SAIC said that the ‘the totally refurbished’ 30,000 square foot three story SAIC USA Building in the Detroit suburb of Birmingham, MI will eventually house nearly 100 people and will focus on three main areas of SAIC USA’s automotive business:

  • Purchasing: sourcing and purchasing of automotive parts, materials and components working with almost 150 different North American suppliers;
  • Logistics: the export and import of automotive parts and components;
  • Technology and Engineering: design, engineering and quality control for development and production of vehicle parts and components.

SAIC also said that its decision to expand its Operation Centre in Michigan was based on a number of critical factors, including access to a highly trained work force, proximity to key global automotive partners – especially [JV partner] General Motors, proximity to ‘world-class automotive parts suppliers’ and the favourable business environment in Michigan.

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SAIC Motor Chairman Mr Maoyuan Hu said: “It is clear to see SAIC’s determination to deeply cooperate with US businesses and SAIC will continue to promote the development of exchanges with partners in the US. I believe SAIC USA will enhance the operation of localisation in the recruitment of professional, technical and management personnel and actively expand economic and trade activities.”

In his comments at the inauguration ceremony, Governor Rick Snyder said: “Michigan is proud to be home to SAIC USA, the North American operations of SAIC Motor, and we are thrilled that the company is expanding its global presence here. The company’s commitment to Michigan cements our standing as the automotive capital of North America and is a testament to the bold reforms we have made to improve our business climate, encourage new investment and growth, and create more and better jobs.”