AUDI Innovation & Technology Center Opens in Shanghai

Audi and SAIC Establish New Shanghai R&D Center

On September 3, SAIC Audi announced the official establishment of the AUDI Innovation & Technology Center in Shanghai. The new joint venture between AUDI AG and SAIC Motor Corporation Limited will operate as an R&D entity dedicated exclusively to the AUDI brand. AITC is designed to provide vehicle development capabilities alongside end-to-end research and development functions. The establishment gives the AUDI brand a dedicated development organization in China, with its activities focused on technologies and vehicles intended for the premium market.

AITC Targets Intelligent Electrification and AI-Defined Vehicles

AITC will focus its development activities on intelligent electrification technologies and vehicle development as the automotive industry moves toward software-defined vehicles and AI-defined vehicles. Its core R&D responsibilities will cover vehicle performance and driving dynamics, while also extending to immersive AI-powered intelligent cockpits and next-generation advanced driver assistance systems. These technologies will be tailored specifically to premium vehicle users in China, indicating that AITC's development priorities will combine electrification, software, artificial intelligence, cockpit experiences, and driver assistance into future AUDI products.

Four New AUDI Models Planned on ADP 2.0

Audi and SAIC Motor will jointly develop four all-new AUDI models using the next-generation Advanced Digitized Platform, or ADP 2.0. The dedicated architecture is intended for future intelligent connected vehicles and will provide the technical foundation for the upcoming model lineup. The four vehicles are expected to expand and complement the AUDI brand's existing portfolio in China, creating additional products around the new platform and R&D capabilities. The first model based on ADP 2.0 is scheduled to make its debut in 2028, establishing the initial milestone for the joint development program.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The establishment of AITC strengthens the development structure supporting AUDI vehicles in the Chinese market by combining Audi and SAIC Motor capabilities around a dedicated R&D organization and next-generation vehicle architecture. Its focus on intelligent electrification, AI-powered cockpits, and advanced driver assistance systems positions the joint venture around technology areas central to the evolution of premium connected vehicles. The planned four-model program also gives the AUDI brand a defined pathway for expanding its China portfolio, while the 2028 debut of the first ADP 2.0 model provides the next major product milestone for the partnership.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AUDI Innovation & Technology Center?
The AUDI Innovation & Technology Center is a new R&D joint venture established by AUDI AG and SAIC Motor in Shanghai. It is dedicated exclusively to the AUDI brand and provides vehicle development and end-to-end R&D capabilities. The center will focus on intelligent electrification and future vehicle technologies, including vehicle performance, driving dynamics, AI-powered intelligent cockpits, and advanced driver assistance systems. Its work is specifically aimed at premium vehicle users in China, supporting the development of future AUDI models based on the next-generation Advanced Digitized Platform 2.0.