Given that the Chinese auto market has grown to become the leading market in the world, it's only natural that automakers have begun establishing manufacturing bases within the country.
Now, General Motors, the largest automaker within China, has announced unprecidented commitment to China. One of the first foreign companies to set manufacturing facilities in China, Shanghai General Motors has now opened a new $253 million facility in partnership with SAIC and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). Known as the Guangde Proving Ground, the facility holds more than 37 miles of road. The new two-square mile facility can simulate 67 different driving conditions and features a variety of surfaces including an oval track, vehicle dynamics test area, long straightaway, ride and handling loop, noise test road, durability test area, corrosion test area, and hill test area are all a part of the new proving ground. Supported with nearly 250,000 square feet of repair space and engineering facility, the new proving ground facility is now the largest of its kind in China. For General Motors, this expresses a shift from not just Chinese manufacturing, but Chinese R&D as well.
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According to GM China president Kevin Wale, "Our goal from the beginning was to make this a world-class facility. The greatest beneficiary will be our customers, who will receive even higher-quality vehicles that are equal to those built and sold anywhere else in the world."
The new proving ground facility will accomodate GM marques including Buick, Cadillac, and Chinese-exclusive Baojun and Jiefang brands as well. Shanghai GM and PATAC will be responsible for the facility's day-to-day operations. The facility estimates more than ten million miles of testing will be conducted each year to cover development, certification, and quality control evaluation.
