GM begins work on Shanghai auto R&D center

General Motors broke ground in Shanghai’s Pudong on Monday for a new research facility intended to develop technologies for next-generation alternative fuel cars and lightweight materials, state media reported. The facility, called the Advanced Technical Center, is expected to cost US$250 million to complete by the end of 2011 and will support a staff of 300 in nine research labs and 62 test labs. GM sold 1.2 million units in the China market in 2009. "Clearly the growth of China as the most important auto market in the world means that we’re going to be putting more of our resources in advanced technology and research here," said Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group.