CHANGSHU, China (March 8, 2013) — ContiTech, a division of Continental A.G., opened a new research and development center March 6 in Jiangsu Province, about 100 kilometers from Shanghai.
ContiTech said the Changshu Center will develop innovative products for vehicle mounting and vibration control technology, in close collaboration with customers — such as Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., Great Wall Motor Co., General Motors Co., Shanghai Volkswagen and Qoros Auto Co. Ltd.
ContiTech has invested approximately $10.3 million in the center, which will employ 30 engineers by year-end. Asian markets in Korea, Japan and India also can be served from the Changshu location, the company said.
An order from Qoros, an automotive manufacturer, was the deciding factor for expansion of the company's R&D competencies in Asia, ContiTech said. In 2010, the ContiTech Vibration Control business unit won the bid to collaborate, with its engine mounts, in the development of the central platform for assembly of Qoros' first production model.
"We made a very clear decision to carry out development in the regions where the key global auto makers are active: in Europe, North and South America, and now, of course, in Asia as well," said Kai Uwe Frühauf, head of ContiTech's Vibration Control business unit.
The new center, he continued, makes it possible not only to offer highly competent support to auto makers in developing their global platforms, but also to meet customers' local needs quickly and precisely at all key locations. Mr. Frühauf added that comprehensive service and custom-made solutions are important criteria helping ContiTech Vibration Control continue to grow with its customers in China and elsewhere.