Gasgoo Munich- On April 29, Schaeffler officially inaugurated a new building for its Changsha R&D center, marking a significant expansion of its engineering footprint in China, according to a post on Schaeffler's WeChat account.
Image source: Schaeffler
The move responds to rising business demand and a growing development team, while also underscoring the German supplier's long-term commitment to localizing innovation and strengthening its technological capabilities in the Chinese market.
Schaeffler established its Changsha-based intelligent driving technology subsidiary in 2019 and formally designated the site as an R&D center in 2023. As part of the company's global innovation network, the facility focuses on bridging early-stage research with product development and commercialization. Its core areas include electric drive systems, intelligent chassis technologies, and autonomous driving solutions. Key development programs span steer-by-wire systems, high-performance electrohydraulic steering system (e2HPS), and a range of advanced electrified drivetrains, all aimed at supporting next-generation mobility.
The expansion comes as Schaeffler's local operations continue to grow, driving demand for more advanced facilities and collaborative workspace. Located within the Xiangjiang Intelligent Connected Industry Incubation Base, the new building offers approximately 5,000 square meters of floor space. It integrates a full suite of functions, including R&D laboratories, prototype workshops, a showroom, and office areas, designed to support everything from cutting-edge research and product validation to customer engagement and daily operations.
Around 170 employees have already moved into the facility, forming a team of experienced engineers and technical specialists tasked with accelerating the development and localization of advanced automotive technologies.
Uwe Wagner, Chief Technology Officer of Schaeffler Group, described the new facility as a key milestone in the group's global innovation strategy. He noted that China has emerged as a major hub for automotive innovation worldwide and remains central to the company's growth outlook. By embedding its R&D capabilities more deeply into the local industrial ecosystem, Schaeffler aims to strengthen its long-term competitiveness.
The new Changsha center, he added, will enable closer alignment with customer needs while accelerating the conversion of advanced research into scalable, production-ready solutions for future mobility.
