Shanghai GM has begun manufacturing operations at its Wuhan Branch with the first Buick Excelle passenger car rolling off the production line yesterday.

The new manufacturing base in central China’s Hubei province represents an initial investment of RMB 7 billion. It has an annual manufacturing capacity of 240,000 vehicles for sale across China by Shanghai GM.

The Wuhan Branch includes press, body, paint and general assembly shops as well as support facilities. It is leveraging world-class manufacturing processes and technology, with 452 robots and an automation rate of 97 percent in its body shop. In line with Shanghai GM’s Drive to Green strategy, the plant has also adopted environmentally friendly technology. The facility is being supported by a parts supply zone and logistics support zone.

Shanghai GM also announced the start of construction of the second phase of the Wuhan Branch. The second phase will represent an investment of RMB 7.5 billion. It will include press, body, paint and general assembly shops. The second phase will double the plant’s manufacturing capacity when it starts production in 2017. Powertrain projects worth about RMB 10 billion are planned at the facility as well.

The Wuhan Branch is Shanghai GM’s fourth manufacturing base, joining its original Jinqiao facility in Shanghai; Shanghai GM Dong Yue Motors and Shanghai GM Dong Yue Automotive Powertrain in Yantai, Shandong; and Shanghai GM (Shenyang) Norsom Motors in Shenyang, Liaoning.

Shanghai GM is a joint venture between GM and SAIC that was established in 1997. It builds, imports and sells a comprehensive range of Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet products. It is fully supported by a network of sales, aftersales and parts centers. In 2014, Shanghai GM sold a record 1,710,025 vehicles in China.