AUDI Innovation & Technology Center Opens in Shanghai

Development Hub in China AUDI Innovation & Technology Center Opens in Shanghai

2026-11-06 From Stefanie Eckardt | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Audi, together with its partner SAIC, is opening the new “AUDI Innovation & Technology Center” in Shanghai. The center will serve as the hub for the development of future vehicle models. Approximately 300 employees will work there.

The new “AUDI Innovation & Technology Center” will serve as the hub for the development of future vehicle models—from the initial concept through to production readiness. The goals are shorter development cycles and greater competitiveness in the Chinese automotive market.(Image: AUDI AG) — The new “AUDI Innovation & Technology Center” will serve as the hub for the development of future vehicle models—from the initial concept through to production readiness. The goals are shorter development cycles and greater competitiveness in the Chinese automotive market.
(Image: AUDI AG)

With the AUDI Innovation & Technology Center (AITC), the Ingolstadt-based (Germany) automaker aims to map out the entire development process for China-specific models for its subsidiary brand in China. The development efforts are focused on driver assistance systems and a new, AI-powered in-car experience. Among other things, artificial intelligence will enable multimodal interaction, agent-based functions, and personalized in-vehicle experiences for Chinese premium customers. To this end, the AITC is collaborating with a Chinese AI and cloud platform and testing how its AI models can be integrated into the vehicle architecture as early as the initial development phases. “China is a key market for Audi and one of the most dynamic innovation hubs in the automotive industry,” explains Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Audi Board of Management, emphasizing: “Anyone who wants to be successful here must develop products in close collaboration with customers and quickly translate new technologies into compelling products. With the new technology center and our partner SAIC, we are strengthening precisely these capabilities. In doing so, we are making a targeted investment in our long-term competitiveness in China.”

In China, for China

“AUDI was developed specifically for Chinese customers,” emphasizes Fred Schulze, CEO of the Audi-SAIC joint venture, adding: “With the new technology center, we can translate their expectations into our products even more consistently—from the initial idea through software and driver assistance to continuous digital updates. To achieve this, we combine Audi’s engineering expertise with local development and streamlined decision-making processes.”

The Ingolstadt-based automaker is pursuing a strategy in China that involves two partners and two brands. The AUDI brand, with its models developed in collaboration with SAIC, was launched in 2024 specifically for the Chinese market and is aimed at tech-savvy premium customers. It combines “Audi’s DNA in design, driving dynamics, quality, and safety with SAIC’s local innovative strength and deep integration into China’s digital ecosystem.” The AUDI E5 Sportback, the first production model, was launched in 2025. This was followed in May 2026 by the E7X, a fully electric SUV. A third model is already in the works.

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