GM looks to China for cleaner cars
US giant General Motors said Monday it would launch a 250-million-dollar alternative fuel research centre in China, as it looks to dramatically ramp up production of more environmentally friendly cars.
The new centre in Shanghai, which will conduct research into fuels and vehicles, will be launched in conjunction with the firm's Shanghai auto partner, SAIC, General Motors chief executive Rick Wagoner told reporters.
GM also announced that it would begin selling a hybrid vehicle model in China next year using locally made engines.
"GM is proud to be announcing one of the most important and far-reaching collaborative strategies to promote energy efficiency and environmentally friendly transportation in China and around the world," Wagoner said.
GM expects hybrid and biofuel vehicles will comprise around 10 percent of its worldwide production of 9.2 to 9.4 million units this year.
"(But) if you look out five years or so, I think that number is going to be significantly higher. It could be 50 percent of global production," Wagoner said.
The first phase of construction of the Shanghai centre, which will also include the the Chinese government as a partner, will be completed next year.
It will focus on developing bio and other alternative fuels, and the engines for them, Wagoner said.
An additional agreement with SAIC and Beijing's Tsinghua University will establish a five-million-dollar clean fuel research laboratory in the Chinese capital.
"The centre is responsible for reducing China's dependence on petroleum based fuels," Wagoner said.
"China has the potential to become the market leader in the adoption of alternative propulsion systems."
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