Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group) has joined with Spanish data management and software company Denodo to accelerate its switch to becoming a high tech, data driven company, according to local reports.

Denodo subsidiary, Denodo Software (Beijing)would make available its “data virtualisation” technology which allow users to integrate data without replicating it, to help BAIC achieve “high-quality development” and realise its ambitious growth targets.

BAIC Group said Denodo expertise would be instrumental in achieving its goal of becoming a high tech manufacturer using global leading technology in line with the central government’s policy of developing the country into an international science and technology innovation hub.

Beijing-based BAIC Group is one of the Chinese state owned vehicle manufacturers, with global sales growing 18% to 1.7m vehicles last year, generating revenue of CNY480bn (US$68bn).

That included its Beiqi Foton subsidiary and ventures with foreign automakers including Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz.

The automaker said it was stepping up its R&D investment with a target of spending CNY100bn (US$14bn) per year on innovation by 2030.