GM to bulk up engineering resources in Pan-Asia region, Akerson says
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Akerson: "We are fully committed to growing this region and moving it into our global portfolio." |
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BEIJING -- General Motors will add resources in its Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center over the next four years as it develops more vehicles globally, GM CEO Dan Akerson said today.
GM plans to design and engineer 100 additional vehicles in its international operations, which include emerging markets such as Brazil, India, Russia and China, by 2016 as well as add technical expertise for global programs at its PATAC operations.
Akerson said that will mean more authority will be assigned to GM's fast-growing Asian operations.
"We are fully committed to growing this region and moving it into our global portfolio," Akerson said on the sidelines of an event around the Beijing auto show. "We will leverage our global engineering skills and use them at a regional level."
PATAC is one of GM's six global engineering and design regions.
GM also aims to position its Shanghai Advanced Technology Center as its second-largest techncal center in the world over the next few years.
"Our commitment to China has been a key to our success," Akerson said. "PATAC will grow over the years as the region continues to grow. It is part of our broader global play."
GM, in combination with its partners, has led the China market for seven straight years, Akerson said.
The automaker's international operations accounted for 41 percent of GM's total vehicle sales in 2011, or 3.7 million units.
In the first quarter, GM sold an all-time number of vehicles in the region -- over 1 million units, and a 9 percent increase over 2011.
You can reach Jason Stein at jstein@crain.com. -- Follow Jason on 
