GM and Shanghai Jiao Tong University Establish New Automotive Research Institute

6 March 2008

General Motors Corp. and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) are establishing the General Motors-Shanghai Jiao Tong University (GM-SJTU) Institute of Automotive Research. The US$4 million organization, located on SJTU’s campus in Shanghai, will build on the existing collaborative automotive technology and research work in manufacturing, materials, propulsion systems and other energy-efficient automotive technology conducted at the university.

The GM-SJTU Institute of Automotive Research will serve as an umbrella organization for both new and existing research and educational programs.

Among the new programs announced is the GM Advanced Manufacturing Processes Collaborative Research Lab (CRL). This is the first GM research and development CRL in China and the 12th established by the automaker worldwide. Research work at the new CRL will focus on manufacturing and lightweight materials processing.

China is not only the second largest market for our company, but also a growing center for global research. The establishment of this CRL demonstrates the integral role that China is playing in GM’s overall R&D strategy.

—Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group

Among the programs that will be housed at the new institution is the Shanghai Jiao Tong University PACE (Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education) Center. The PACE Center was established at SJTU in 2002 through a donation of hardware and software by a consortium of global companies, including General Motors. The PACE program promotes the development of educational curriculums that lead to advanced degrees in research fields that are critical to the automotive industry.

(A hat-tip to jv!)