DETROIT: Automaker GAC Motor impressed audiences at the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 14 with the world premiere of its ENTRANZE concept car, emphasizing the automaker’s human-centric approach to family vehicles. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including media, global suppliers and partners.
Developed by the GAC Motor’s Advanced Design Center in Los Angeles, the bullet-inspired ENTRANZE concept is designed to meet the needs of American consumers. It offers a revolutionary vision of future mobility, showcasing new energy breakthroughs, an upgraded user experience (UI), unique interior and exterior design concepts, and technology features including:
- Replacement of traditional control panel with an advanced voice-controlled UI and dynamic buttons on the steering wheel
- New 3+2+2 seating arrangement and ‘aircraft inspired aisle’
- Two-side mounted displays for functional feature control, plus curved displays for passenger entertainment
- Integrated cargo system with a central movable storage unit in the second row, removable backpacks doubling as in-vehicle storage and folding rocker panel for leisure seating.
“Ultimately, automotive products are a means for people to connect during life’s great journey. The ENTRANZE concept embodies our vision to provide mobility solutions that enrich lives,” said Yu Jun, president of GAC Motor.
GAC Motor has also displayed its portfolio of star vehicles of SUVs, sedans, minivans and NEVs, including GS8, GS4, GS5, GS7, GS3, GA4, GM8, GM6 and GE3 530 at NAIAS 2019.
California Headquarters Announced
At the show, GAC Motor officially announced that it has registered its North American Sales Company in Irvine, Calif., near Los Angeles. The regional headquarters will be responsible for branding, marketing, product planning and financial affairs.
GAC’s global R&D network
GAC Motor also announced at the press conference that the GAC R&D Center Detroit has officially begun operation. Located in Farmington Hills, Mich., the new R&D center was built with an investment of US$ 4.4 million and encompasses nearly 50,000 square feet of real estate.
It will serve as a hub to assist the design and R&D of GAC Group’s products for the U.S. and other overseas markets. Specifically, the center will focus on product development, ground-breaking technologies, talent recruitment and training.
The Detroit hub connects GAC’s two additional California R&D centers with the GAC R&D centers in China. These centers will contribute significantly to the advancement of the company’s global R&D and automobile manufacturing network.
Established in April 2017, the GAC R&D Center Silicon Valley (GAC-SV) in Sunnyvale aims to promote academic research in the development of a new generation of R&D talent for the region and support local product collaboration. Other GAC-SV highlights include:
- More than 30 leading engineers on site
- Ongoing self-developed projects include in-vehicle gateway firewall, big data enabled battery performance prediction, user-based insurance (UBI), development of an autonomous driving architecture, safety simulation and thermal motor analysis
- Development of the self-driving sensory system installed on the GE3, including LIDAR and video perception mechanism
- Collaboration with world-renowned research institutions and enterprises in the fields of artificial intelligence algorithm, smart transportation and the development of advanced electric vehicle powertrains
Located in Newport Beach, Calif., the GAC Advanced Design Center Los Angeles opened in April 2018 and is responsible for advanced design, UI/UX development and brand visuals for GAC Motor. It’s led by executive design director Pontus Fontaeus, an internationally recognized car designer who introduced their latest creation ENTRANZE at 2019 NAIAS.
“In the future, we will continue to make our products more intelligent and transform to a mobility service provider so as to share the unique charm and value of new era of “Made in China” with global consumers,” said Yu. News Desk
