In recent years, SAIC Motor has made significant strides in bolstering its technical capabilities to establish a competitive edge in the automotive industry. By the end of 2023, the company’s workforce had grown to 207,000 employees, with 33,800 dedicated to research and development, accounting for over 16% of the total workforce. This emphasis on R&D is reflected in SAIC Motor’s consistent increase in investments, with over 20 billion RMB allocated annually for the past decade, resulting in the accumulation of more than 26,000 valid invention patents.
In recognition of its commitment to innovation, SAIC Motor was awarded the title of National Intellectual Property Advantage Enterprise in 2023. Additionally, eight of its subsidiaries, including SAIC-GM-Wuling and SHPT, received the Intellectual Property Management System Certification. The company has established a „1+5+7+X“ technical innovation framework, led by one R&D innovation headquarters, supported by five major digital capabilities, and riding on seven common production technical bases to drive technological innovation across all product categories.
One of SAIC Motor’s key focuses is on improving core capabilities in new energy vehicles. The company has developed seven major technical bases, including three vehicle platforms and four key system architectures. The Xingyun pure electric platform, Zhufeng electromechanical integration vehicle architecture, and Xinghe hydrogen exclusive architecture are pivotal in driving the group’s in-house R&D of electric vehicles. These platforms offer scalability, adaptability, and iterative capabilities, essential for staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
SAIC Motor’s commitment to technology innovation is further exemplified through its subsidiaries such as Z-one Tech, SHPT, DIAS, and SAIL-Cloud. These companies specialize in core technologies in emerging fields like new energy vehicles, software, AI, big data, and IoT. By leveraging the capital market, they are accelerating the industrialization and commercialization of their innovative achievements.
The integration of the „smart brain,“ „agile body,“ and „powerful heart“ in SAIC Motor’s vehicles signifies a new era of technological advancement. Z-one Tech’s Full-Stack 3.0 solution, focusing on the „smart brain,“ aims to achieve mass production of generational solutions by 2025. The VMC technology, handling the „agile body,“ enables innovative functions like „crab walking“ through advanced motion control capabilities. The „powerful heart“ refers to the electric drive system, featuring cutting-edge technologies like carbon fiber rotor motors and solid-state batteries developed in collaboration with QingTao Development.
SAIC Motor’s strategic partnerships and investments in solid-state battery technology have positioned the company as a leader in electric vehicle advancements. The collaboration with QingTao Development has resulted in the industry’s first mass-produced Ultra-Fast Charging Solid-State Battery 1.0, powering vehicles like the IM L6 model. With plans to incorporate solid-state batteries in entry-level models by 2025, SAIC Motor is paving the way for a sustainable and efficient electric vehicle future.
Furthermore, SAIC Motor has built a robust component supplier ecosystem, with subsidiaries like HASCO playing a crucial role in the group’s total revenue. HASCO, China’s largest comprehensive automotive parts company, boasts a global presence with manufacturing and R&D bases in multiple countries. The company’s contribution to SAIC Motor’s components business highlights the group’s transition from technology introduction to independent innovation.
In a landmark collaboration with Audi, SAIC Motor is set to co-develop a new platform, the Advanced Digitized Platform, targeting the Chinese market. This partnership underscores SAIC Motor’s evolution from leveraging foreign technologies through joint ventures to supplying its own technologies to international partners. The cooperation with Audi is a testament to SAIC Motor’s commitment to industrial transformation and upgrading, solidifying its position as a key player in the automotive industry.
In conclusion, SAIC Motor’s relentless pursuit of technological innovation and strategic partnerships has propelled the company to the forefront of the automotive industry. With a strong focus on R&D, new energy vehicles, and component supplier ecosystem, SAIC Motor is driving the future of mobility with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions.