GM is driving the expansion of Socal with its latest announcement to build a new campus in Pasadena, California.
The campus will host GM’s Advanced Design Center operations. Therefore, the automotive giant plans to invest more than $ 71 million to build the campus. Its Design Center is currently located in North Hollywood.
Why the New Design Center?
The 149,000-square-foot facility will increase the center’s capacity and create more jobs in the area. In addition, it will result in expanded high-tech equipment. In this way, GM’s goal of zero accidents, zero emissions and zero congestion is accelerated.
In addition, GM is driving the expansion of SoCal by leveraging the new location to recruit the best regional talent in the disciplines of aerospace engineering, defense, automotive design, software development and advanced technology.
GM drives new design center at SoCal
What does the GM Advanced Design Center do?
Therefore, GM’s advanced design team focuses on the development of concepts and future mobility projects. The creation of alternative mobility applications can reveal opportunities for transformative innovation and serve as growth opportunities for future GM products and services.
For example, the following are some innovation and design work projects related to GM’s growth strategy:
- BrightDrop: With GM support, the company offers a connected product system aimed at first and last mile delivery customers. FedEx is expected to be its first customer.
- Cadillac: development of a personal autonomous concept vehicle and vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
- The Lunar Rover Concept: The concept transports astronauts to the surface of the moon.
Updates for GM’s advanced design
In addition, GM says the new expansion will provide the latest tools, equipment and workspaces to encourage collaboration and ideation. For example:
- A more efficient design, designed to reduce interruptions and increase the efficiency of the various paint, metal and plastic workshops
- A larger footprint that allows an improvement in the production of physical and virtual tests of concepts and show cars
- The ability to quickly pilot visual and immersive technology, including augmented and virtual reality
- An innovation laboratory to design, implement and validate new design tools
- A user interface design studio and advanced user experience
- Dedicated space for collaboration, research and development for GM’s internal and external strategic collaborations
While GM is driving Socal’s expansion with the Pasadena campus, it is at the same time part of GM Design’s broader global expansion. GM’s new Design West facility is currently under construction at the Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, and GM recently announced the expansion of the Advanced Design Center in Shanghai, China.
Opinion: GM drives social expansion
Still, it’s great to see car manufacturers use their technology and resources to generate new ideas. Especially here in Southern California.
Consumers expect more profit from their cars as technology advances. GM is smart to start investing in other areas to anticipate the needs of its customers.
And since many companies leave California. It’s nice to see one, especially an American company, increase its footprint in the Golden State.