German luxury carmaker Porsche recently signed an agreement to establish its China Research and Development Center in Jiading district, Shanghai — a major hub for the automotive industry.

The project marks a significant upgrade to Porsche's local R&D capabilities and signals a new phase in its innovation strategy tailored to the Chinese market.

The new center will be located in Jiangqiao town, North Hongqiao Business District, near the Hongqiao transportation hub.

Covering over 10,000 square meters, the facility will feature specialized workshops and a human-machine interaction (HMI) lab. With a focus on agile innovation, it is designed to significantly increase development speed and cross-functional efficiency.

It will integrate Porsche's key China-based operations and incorporate local procurement and quality assurance functions, establishing a complete end-to-end development chain in the country.

The first phase of the project is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2025 and will accommodate more than 300 engineers.

Among its early deliverables, the center is expected to launch Porsche's first infotainment system tailored to the needs of Chinese consumers, with deployment planned for 2026.

According to local officials, Jiading district has consistently upheld an open development philosophy and positioned North Hongqiao as a key node in its automotive innovation ecosystem. The district actively attracts global enterprises and top automotive talent, aiming for collaborative, win-win growth.

Source: Jiading district government