Beijing July 13 (IANS) BMW motors on Thursday opened a new research and development (R&D) centre in China the largest outside of Germany.
The new R&D centre covering an area of over 40 000 sq.metres is located in Shenyang capital of Liaoning province reports Xinhua news agency.
It is an extension of the original one built in 2012 and is five times larger than the first-stage project.
About 75 per cent of the 800-plus research personnel are Chinese the company said adding that the centre will focus on new energy technology to establish a complete R&D and production chain in China.
China has become the largest single market for BMW automotive vehicles. Earlier in May the BMW assembly plant in Shenyang s Dadong district began operations.
Last January an engine plant also began production in Shenyang.
--IANS
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