China’s Great Wall Motor to Open Tech Center Outside Detroit

A unit of Chinese pickup truck and SUV maker Great Wall Motor Co. plans to open a $3.5 million research and development facility early next year in Farmington Hills, Mich.

The 16,000 sq-ft leased center will be operated by Great Wall’s American Haval Motor Technology LLC unit and aims to develop a staff of 150 people over the next five years, Crain’s Detroit Business reports.

The newspaper says the center will focus on helping future Great Wall vehicles meet U.S. safety, emission and fuel economy regulations. American Haval also says the facility will conduct research on autonomous vehicle technology.

In August Great Wall announced plans to pursue a bid for Fiat Chrysler Automobile NV’s Jeep brand. But it dropped the idea a day later after conceding there were “big uncertainties” about its ability to execute a deal.