Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) plans to establish an R&D center in Israel for its advanced auto technologies, the Chinese car maker announced.

SAIC said that the Israel plant, which is a part of its plan to go global, will particularly focus on the research and development of "electrical propulsion, data networks, car sharing, and smart automated propulsion."

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An advance team already flew to Israel to start the work, Globes reported citing sources. The new center will allegedly be located in the new management center of the Lubinski group, the official importer of SAIC, in Meuyan Sorek. SAIC Israel is set to expand to up to 50 employees.

SAIC said that Israel is a country with deep historical and cultural background, with a strong sense of innovation and entrepreneurship. SAIC said that the Israeli government wants to promote technological activities, noting that several leading global tech companies are developing breakthrough in Israel as there is a large per capita number of scientists and engineers.

Meanwhile, other specific details of the plan, including the amount and timetable, have not been divulged yet. The company wants to explore technology for future mobility services via innovation and investment.

SAIC, which aims to explore technology for future mobility services through innovation and investment, also opened a similar R&D center in Silicon Valley in the US.

Early this month, Chinese automaker Geely and Vovo also inaugurated a new auto-tech entrepreneurship and innovation center in Israel. While Qoros, a joint venture between Kenon Holdings Ltd. and China's Chery, also plans to set up an R&D center for smart electric vehicles.

Tagssaic, automaker, R&D Center, Israel