EB (Elektrobit) has expanded into the People's Republic of China with the formation of EB Automotive Software (Shanghai) Ltd., the legal entity in Shanghai. In addition to its office in Beijing, serving both automotive and wireless customers, this new global hub will particularly help EB to support the company's growing automotive customer base in China and neighboring markets in Central Asia.
By expanding its presence in China, EB aims to develop an efficient and well-established base, as well as benefit from customer proximity and cost advantages, which the company views as essential for maintaining and build on its competitiveness. From the offices in Shanghai and Beijing, EB will conduct development, engineering, localization and business development. The China operation is an integral part of EB's global network and infrastructure aimed at a sustainable business model and growing the local team for years to come.
"Through strategic investments and targeted efforts, EB is making significant gains in China towards our growth and global footprint goals," said Alexander Kocher, President of the Automotive Business Segment at EB, at the official opening event in Shanghai.
He added, "Today, China produces about 20 million vehicles with double-digit growth rates to stabilize somewhere around 35 million units annually by 2020. And the automotive industry is rapidly changing with the continued trend to driver assistance applications and to the integration of external devices in the car. Meanwhile most innovations in the automotive industry are brought about by software and electronics, infotainment and online services have become key differentiators. These trends represent good business opportunities for EB."
"The demand for automotive software solutions and services in China is rising quickly," said Jeff Zhou, Managing Director of EB Automotive Software (Shanghai) Ltd. "The new legal entity in China will help us expand our business, meet our customer demands efficiently and keep pace with the growth in this region."