Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Lixiang Auto Inc (Li Auto) opened its first overseas research and development (R&D) center within the German city of Munich, as the corporate continues to step up its overseas sales drive.

Li Auto said the aim of the R&D centre is to collaborate with European component manufacturers in the event of next-generation technologies, including those related to AI, power semiconductors, smart chassis systems, electric drivetrains and overall vehicle design.

Through the brand new R&D centre, the automaker also goals to achieve a greater understanding of the European market and develop products which can be more “aligned” with European automotive regulations and consumer preferences.

Li Auto’s CEO, Ma Donghui, said in a press release: “This R&D center marks the official start of Li Auto’s global strategy. It is going to also function a cornerstone of our artificial intelligence (AI) core strategy, with nearly half of our R&D investment currently directed toward AI technologies.”

Established in 2015, Li Auto is considered one of China’s more successful EV startups, with global sales last yr growing by 33% to 500,508 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – bringing the corporate’s cumulative sales to 1,133,872 units.

“Li Auto opens R&D centre in Germany” was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.

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