Chinese-owned AUDI opens new R&D center in Shanghai

Audi and its Chinese partner SAIC have opened an innovation and technology center in Shanghai for their joint brand AUDI. Four new vehicle models are set to be developed there, with a focus on areas such as driving dynamics and handling, AI-powered smart cockpits, and driver assistance systems.

Audi and SAIC are continuing to expand their still-young China brand, AUDI (written in uppercase without rings). So far, there are only two models: the electric hatchback AUDI E5 Sportback introduced in November 2024, and the electric SUV AUDI E7X unveiled in December 2025. In April of this year, Audi and SAIC agreed to deepen their partnership for AUDI, with a new development center and four new models based on an upgraded platform at its core.

Now, the partners have opened this development center in Shanghai under the name AUDI Innovation & Technology Center (AITC). There, a team of around 300 employees is set to work on the next generation of the Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP), upon which the four new models announced earlier will be built.

"This is a historic milestone for the AUDI brand," said Fred Schulze, CEO of the Audi and SAIC partnership as well as chairman of the AITC board of directors. "The new AITC will become a driver of innovation for our next generation of products. With ADP 2.0, which is currently in development, we are creating a new product DNA tailored specifically for this market."

AUDI is to represent new ways of thinking

Zu Sijie, vice president and chief engineer at SAIC Motor, emphasized that the partnership aims to set new standards for intelligent premium electric vehicles. "With solid roots in China and a global vision, we want to give the AUDI brand strong innovation momentum through new ways of thinking, new models, and new technologies," said Zu.

Audi’s China head, Johannes Roscheck, said the establishment of the center underscores the company’s long-term commitment in China: “We combine Audi’s German engineering precision with the innovation strength of the local market to offer customer-focused premium mobility solutions. Through our strengthened R&D presence, we will further enhance our competitiveness in China while highlighting Audi’s unique DNA.”

Even before AUDI plans to introduce its four new models based on the new ADP 2.0 starting in 2028, a third model based on the first version of ADP is set to launch in 2027. The ADP is considered an evolution of the electric platform used by SAIC’s premium brand IM Motors.