Beyond Shanghai’s vibrant skyline lies a testament to the city’s automotive ambitions: Shanghai International Automobile City. The Shanghai International Automobile City isn’t just a place. It is a vision. This vision started in 2000. City leaders Huang Ju and Chen Liangyu proposed building a modern automotive industrial zone in Anting.
The Shanghai International Automobile City officially launched in September 2001. It aimed to become an international hub for the automotive industry. Planners envisioned a 68 square kilometer area. This area would integrate research, development, manufacturing, and trade.
Shanghai International Automobile City became a magnet for both domestic and foreign automakers. The core mission was the research and development of vehicles. It also promoted trade in sedans, used cars, and auto parts. The city leveraged its location within the Yangtze River Delta. It aimed to cultivate modern automotive service industries. These industries included auto finance and insurance.
The Shanghai International Automobile City is divided into functional zones. Manufacturing occupies 14 square kilometers. This area houses SAIC Volkswagen and component suppliers. Research and development share 7.43 square kilometers. This fosters innovation in new technologies and eco-friendly vehicles. Trade occupies about 4.8 square kilometers. It features new and used car markets and exhibition streets.
A key part of Shanghai International Automobile City is the Auto Innovation Park. Opened in 2015, it is a research and development base. The park spans 120,000 square meters. It has 200,000 square meters of building space.
The Shanghai International Automobile City also focuses on supporting industries. Facilities for experiencing, education, and competition exist. Notable examples include the SAIC Volkswagen test track. It also contains Tongji University’s Jiading campus. The Shanghai International Circuit is also located here. This circuit hosted the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix for ten years.
Getting to the Shanghai International Automobile City is easy. Shanghai Metro Line 11 provides access. The Shanghai Suburban Ring Expressway also passes through it.
By 2010, Shanghai International Automobile City had achieved an industrial added value exceeding 21.6 billion yuan. The GDP per capita reached 250,000 yuan. In January 2013, Anting town’s industrial output reached 7.3 billion yuan. This was a 20.9% increase. Tax revenue hit 2.83 billion yuan. This showed a remarkable increase of 91.21%. Not all projects have been successful. The Shanghai International Circuit has suffered losses for years.
The Shanghai International Automobile City is a dynamic area. It blends automotive innovation with economic development. It also promotes education. It has a Formula One racetrack and it provides easy access to Shanghai. The city has become a center for the automotive industry in China.