SAIC-GM Ultium factory starts production

Beijing (Gasgoo)- SAIC General Motors (SAIC-GM) recently announced its Ultium super factory (Ultium Center) in Shanghai started operation, providing strong support for the production of those battery electric vehicles built on the Ultium platform.

According to the automaker, the Ultium Center is one of the joint venture’s RMB50 billion ($776.8 million) investment in the automotive electrification, intellectualization, and connectivity technologies field.

The Ultium Center was upgraded on top of SAIC-GM’s former automotive battery system development center, capable of power battery system manufacturing and testing. The factory currently produces battery packs of all types, including mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric.

Photo credit: SAIC-GM

Added to the joint venture’s two new energy test centers in China, the factory helps to enhance SAIC-GM’s new energy system development capabilities, providing solid technical support for its Ultium EV platform in the country.

As the automaker’s electrification stepping stone, the Ultium platform integrated the company’s 26 years of experience in the field. SAIC-GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center have teamed up for the platform’s architecture development, procuring 95% of the auto parts locally.

In addition, SAIC-GM announced that the first Ultium-powered model, the Cadillac LYRIQ SUV, will start to presell this year and is expected to be on the market next year. The company plans to bring out over ten locally-made new energy vehicles from its three subsidiary brands by 2025.