In a rapidly revitalizing neighborhood of Shanghai, where employees from Chinese tech giants mingle with contemporary art museum enthusiasts just steps from the Huangpu River, Renault opened a new innovation hub in 2024: the Ampere China Development Center (ACDC). The company hired around 150 engineers there, poaching them from leading Chinese automotive firms. The aim was to learn how to design vehicles that would later be produced in Europe, as with the new Twingo E-Tech Electric, developed in half the usual timeframe required on its home continent. "Born in France, developed in China, produced in Europe," explained Philippe Brunet, Renault's chief technology officer, on the company's website in October. "Being close to the best innovators, learning with humility, and building strong partnerships is not just an option – it's a must. We are right where the future of the automotive industry is being shaped."
European companies are in China to learn from their Chinese counterparts – a major reversal that President Emmanuel Macron will see firsthand during his visit to Beijing and Chengdu from Wednesday, December 3, to Friday, December 5. China is playing an increasingly significant role in innovation as its factories ramp up production; they now account for over 30% of global industrial output, challenging other economies.
