Gasgoo.com (Shanghai February 15) - According to a report appearing in the Economic Observer News today, the Jiangxia District in Hubei's capital of Wuhan is slated to be the home of Shanghai GM's fourth passenger vehicle production site. The district is pegged to be Wuhan's new energy automobile production center, which has led many to believe that Shanghai GM's new energy projects will be centered at this new site.
Shanghai GM will be investing seven billion yuan ($1.11b) in the new 2.2 square km site. Construction will be divided into two phases, after which the site will boast an annual production capability of 300,000 vehicles. The joint venture has not commented on other details regarding the site.
The program is currently awaiting approval from the Hubei Environmental Protection Bureau. The site is expected to be operational by 2014.
Shanghai GM has constantly been expanding into the field new energy automobiles, with the JV having released the new Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid (pictured) last August. Compared to the standard LaCrosse, the new hybrid boasts fuel savings of 20 percent. The JV plans to release several new pure electric and plug-in hybrid models in the next few years, as well as further develop new hybrid compatible drive train technology.
