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Porsche Accelerates China Expansion with Cutting-Edge R&D Center
8 Nov
Summary
- Porsche opens 10,000-sq-m R&D center in Shanghai
- Aims to shorten development cycles from "years to months"
- First major output is China-exclusive infotainment system
In a significant move to strengthen its presence in the world's largest auto market, German sports car maker Porsche has opened an integrated research and development center in Shanghai. The new 10,000-square-meter facility, which brings together Porsche's R&D, procurement, and quality teams, marks the company's first R&D site of this scale outside Germany.
The Shanghai center is a major part of Porsche's "In China, for China" strategy, as the company aims to keep pace with China's rapid advancements in digital services, user interfaces, and connected-car ecosystems. By integrating core functions locally, Porsche hopes to tailor its products more closely to Chinese consumer expectations, particularly in areas such as digital services, connectivity, and user experience.
The new center will give Porsche's China unit greater autonomy, allowing the company to shorten development cycles from "years to months," according to Sajjad Khan, Porsche's board member responsible for Car-IT. The first major output from the facility will be a China-exclusive infotainment system, set to debut in several model lines starting mid-2026. This system will integrate local digital services, offer AI-powered voice functions, and feature 3D vehicle controls.
"China is leading the way in future mobility," said Oliver Blume, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG, at the opening ceremony. "Solving the challenges of this transformation isn't possible from afar -- it has to happen here."
