Porsche inaugurates new R&D center in China to accelerate local innovation, market responsiveness

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 5, 2025, Porsche officially opened its new China R&D Center in Shanghai's Hongqiao business district, marking a major milestone in its "In China, for China" strategy, according to a post on the WeChat account of Porsche Digital China

Spanning over 10,000 square meters, the facility is Porsche's first large-scale R&D base outside its headquarters in Weissach, Germany, and is expected to significantly strengthen the company's local innovation capabilities.

"China is shaping the future of mobility — from electrification and digitalization to a redefinition of modern luxury," said Dr. Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, at the opening ceremony. "To truly understand and respond to these transformations, we must be on the ground, not observing from afar. This new R&D center will serve as a strategic pillar that bridges German engineering excellence with China's digital future, enabling us to learn faster, act faster, and strengthen Porsche's global development network."

The new Shanghai facility is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including prototype workshops and human–machine interaction laboratories. Designed to foster collaboration and innovation, the center features open workspaces and cutting-edge testing infrastructure. It currently employs more than 300 engineers, forming the core of Porsche's expanding local R&D team.

The establishment of the China R&D Center represents a major upgrade of Porsche's research network in the country. It consolidates existing resources — including Porsche China's technical department, Porsche Engineering, and Porsche Digital — into a single, more autonomous entity. By integrating R&D, procurement, and quality management functions, the new center is designed to respond to Chinese customers' needs with greater agility and speed.

"The launch of the China R&D Center demonstrates our strengthened long-term commitment to the Chinese market," said Alexander Pollich, President and CEO of Porsche China. "Our goal is to create intelligent solutions that resonate deeply with the digital lifestyles and preferences of Chinese consumers, while ensuring every Porsche vehicle continues to deliver the authentic driving experience and engineering excellence that define our brand."

The Shanghai center is currently focusing on developing infotainment systems and driver-assistance technologies tailored specifically for Chinese users. Sajjad Khan, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Vehicle IT at Porsche AG, said the new facility allows Porsche to be part of China's rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem. "This proximity has dramatically accelerated our development cycles — what once took years can now be achieved in a matter of months — enabling us to respond more swiftly and precisely to the changing expectations of Chinese customers," he noted.

One of the center's first major achievements is a next-generation infotainment system designed exclusively for China. Developed entirely by a local team, it blends advanced technologies with Porsche's distinctive design DNA and is expected to debut in multiple models from mid-2026.

China remains one of Porsche's most strategic markets, and the company has been steadily deepening its R&D footprint to better meet the diverse expectations of local customers. Porsche Engineering has operated in China for more than 30 years, establishing its Shanghai office in 2014 and expanding to Beijing in 2022. In 2019, Porsche China launched a dedicated digitalization department, which became an independent company, Porsche Digital China, in early 2021. The establishment of the China R&D division in 2022 further sharpened the company's focus on local consumer trends — a commitment now embodied in the new Shanghai R&D Center.