BAIC BJEV"s two overseas R&D centers in Tokyo and Turin are about to break ground. This will be BAIC BJEV"s sixth and seventh overseas R&D centers after those in the Silicon Valley(USA), Aachen(Germany), Detroit(USA), Barcelona(Spain) and Dresden(Germany), marking that the global R&D network of seven cities of five countries has taken shape and taken a significant step in the establishment of a globally competitive R&D system.
The BeijingGeneral Research Institute is the central layer in charge of the integrated development and manufacturing of vehicles; the frontier layer comprising theoverseas R&D centers in seven cities of five countries is in charge ofresearching the trend of international modeling and the application of keytechnologies; the application layer comprising the technical departments of themanufacturing bases is in charge of the market-oriented transformation oftechnologies and the development of products quickly responding to the market;the research layer integrates research institutions, renowned universities andconsulting agencies for basic science and prospective technical surveys, withemphasis on basic science and prospective technology research.
The R&D centers in seven cities of five countries differ in strategic orientation, covering cutting-edge technical fields such as modeling design, electric drive technology, intelligent technology, lightweight technology and connectivity technology. They are providing ceaseless support for BAIC BJEV to stay ahead. Of these centers, the two new ones in Tokyo and Turin are mainly in charge of prospective modeling design.
BAIC BJEV R&D Center Detroit is committed to the R&D of the core technology of electric vehicles - electric drive assembly systems.
BAIC BJEV R&D Center Silicon Valley lays emphasis on vehicle control technology improvement, the Internet and intelligenization.
BAIC BJEV-Meta New Energy Vehicle R&D Center Aachen is mainly in charge of the R&D of extended-range electric vehicle powertrains. The first model is expected to be launched in late 2017.
BAIC BJEV R&D Center Dresden is in charge of developing all-new lightweight multi-material vehicles, as well as all-new lightweight design and material application technologies.
BAIC BJEV R&D Center Barcelona is in charge of the design and R&D of high-performance sport models.
The R&D centers in seven cities of five countries have shown tremendous strength as the world-class frontier R&D forces of BAIC BJEV. The first Chinese pure electric supercar-ARCFOX-7 appearing at Auto China 2016 was exactly designed by BAIC BJEV R&D Center Barcelona. Its modeling design and outstanding performance are amazing. The trial manufacturing of the prototype vehicle and related tests are under way. The model is expected to be mass-manufactured and launched in 2017.
Meanwhile, BAIC BJEV launched the Hummingbird Plan during Auto China 2016. The plan covers four core technologies-"e-Motion Design", "e-Motion Drive", "LightTech", "i-Link Super Smart Connection". Through the deep integration of all the R&D centers, these technologies have gradually been applied on next-generation models such as EU260 and EX200 to make them competitive.