An agreement to establish the Porsche China R&D Center in Shanghai is finalized on May 30. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]
In a significant move to enhance its localized innovation efforts, German luxury automaker Porsche signed a deal on May 30 to establish its China research and development (R&D) center in the Jiading area of Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District (CBD).
The new R&D center, located near the Hongqiao transportation hub, will cover an area of over 10,000 square meters in Jiangqiao town, Jiading district. The modern facility will house specialized workshops and a Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) laboratory. The first phase of the center is expected to become operational in the second half of 2025, and employ over 300 engineers.
During the signing ceremony, Xiao Wengao, Party secretary of Jiading district, highlighted Jiading's commitment to openness and its role as a crucial hub for the automotive industry, attracting global enterprises and top talent. He emphasized how Porsche's innovative spirit and full industry chain development model aligns with Jiading's strategic direction, suggesting a promising future for their partnership.
Kong Fu'an, executive deputy director of the Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District Administrative Committee, noted Shanghai's status as an international, innovative, and inclusive global city, with a business environment highly rated by enterprises. He expressed optimism about the partnership's potential, given the complete automotive ecosystem and rich talent pool in Jiading.
"China is at the developmental forefront of automotive technology globally. The establishment of this R&D center is not only a testament to Porsche's commitment to China but also a strategic move towards the future mobility ecosystem," said Alexander Pollich, president and CEO of Porsche China. He emphasized that the center will enhance Porsche's local R&D independence and deepen its "in China, for China" innovation strategy.
Under the deal, Porsche models will be equipped with the first infotainment solution tailored for the Chinese market in 2026.
Li Nan, vice-president of Porsche China's Technical Department, explained that the center aims to blend advanced intelligent technology with Porsche's unique driving experience, meeting the needs of Chinese customers while preserving the brand's distinctive appeal.
The new center will integrate Porsche's core entities in China, incorporating local procurement and quality assurance functions to build a comprehensive R&D framework. This integration marks a significant upgrade, redefining Porsche's R&D strategy in the Chinese market with a focus on "local research, local procurement, and local quality control".
A rendering of the Porsche China R&D Center in Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]