Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 28, 2025, Great Wall Motor ("GWM") and Baowu Magnesium signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement at the Haval Technology Center, unveiling a joint laboratory for magnesium product development, according to a post on GWM's WeChat account.
The partnership aims to accelerate the application of lightweight magnesium alloy technology in vehicle bodies, powertrains, and chassis systems, contributing to the high-quality development of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry and supporting China's carbon neutrality goals.
GWM said it is collaborating with Baowu Magnesium, a global leader in magnesium alloy materials, to push the boundaries of lightweight vehicle technology. Their joint R&D efforts have already yielded a breakthrough—the world's first semi-solid injection-molded magnesium alloy shock tower, which is approximately 10% lighter than its aluminum counterpart.
Built on this success, the partnership will focus on further expanding magnesium alloy applications in structural body components, battery enclosures, and chassis systems. Together, the companies aim to overcome challenges in the development, process optimization, and commercialization of next-generation magnesium alloys, with the goal of significantly increasing magnesium usage per vehicle while enhancing both energy efficiency and safety performance.
The newly established joint laboratory will leverage the technological expertise of both companies, concentrating on three key areas:
● Development and application of new magnesium alloys with high heat resistance and plasticity.
● Research on magnesium alloy components such as e-drive housings and shock towers that meet high-strength and corrosion-resistant performance requirements.
● Utilization of extruded magnesium alloy profiles in vehicle body structures.
GWM's Chief Technology Officer Ms. Wu Huixiao emphasized that lightweight design is a critical strategy for NEV development. She noted that this collaboration aligns with GWM's "Forest Ecosystem" industrial strategy and, when combined with innovations such as Hi4 powertrain technology, will deliver more efficient and safer products, strengthening GWM's global competitiveness.
Baowu Magnesium's Vice Chairman Wen Faping highlighted the strategic importance of magnesium alloys in automotive lightweighting, stating that their expanded application will redefine industry technological pathways. He expressed confidence that the joint laboratory will serve as a bridge between production, research, and application, accelerating the large-scale adoption of magnesium alloy products in GWM vehicles and establishing a global benchmark for magnesium lightweighting technology.
