SAIC steps on innovation pedal for fast growth in global markets

SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, China's biggest carmaker and the local partner for Volkswagen and General Motors, has always been a step ahead of its peers when its comes to technology and innovation. More importantly, the automaker is one of the shining examples of the reform and opening-up policy that China embarked on some 40 years ago.

Yu Jingmin, who graduated from university in 1994, remembers that it was with some trepidation that he joined the company as his job options were limited to just three choices - real estate, commerce or automobiles. Yu, a deputy general manager of China's largest listed automaker, said he is proud of his job choice and has no regrets.

Perhaps, his crowning glory came last year during an industrial event at Stanford University, when he told the stunned participants that futuristic connected cars had already made their debut in China, courtesy of SAIC Motor, while it was still a concept in many developed nations.