SAIC Motor's passenger-car division and its premium electric-vehicle brand IM Motors are inviting suppliers to bid for contracts covering next-generation intelligent chassis components, according to Chinese automotive news outlet D1EV.
The event, scheduled for Oct. 20 at SAIC's innovation research headquarters in Shanghai, is co-organised by SAIC, IM Motors, the Shanghai Society of Automotive Engineers, FoTen Capital, the Shanghai International Proving Ground, Shanghai Automotive News and the Automotive Brake Institute, with Gasgoo serving as the organiser.
SAIC Passenger Vehicle is the core vehicle-manufacturing arm of state-owned SAIC Motor, and IM Motors is its high-end intelligent electric brand. The two are seeking suppliers for suspension systems, axle components, smart chassis hardware and testing equipment, according to the announcement.
The supplier list covers multi-link suspension, aluminium control arms, steering knuckles, subframes, air spring assemblies, closed-loop air suspension, CDC dampers, stabiliser bars and high-performance bushings. It also includes lightweight wheel hubs, half-shaft assemblies, by-wire steering actuators, four-wheel steering systems, electro-mechanical braking, chassis domain controllers, suspension controllers, air supply units and chassis position and height sensors.
Testing equipment sought includes hardware-in-the-loop benches for full by-wire chassis, air suspension test rigs, four-wheel steering performance systems, lightweight fatigue testing for chassis parts and full-vehicle dynamics benches.
Pushing premium tech into mainstream models
IM Motors is developing its NEO three-electric architecture and the Lingxi full by-wire digital chassis as its core technology platform, and plans to push full by-wire chassis and 800V high-voltage platform technology into mainstream models, the company said. The new-generation IM LS6 is the key model for this strategy.
The supplier event is designed to help IM Motors solve supply-demand matching for cutting-edge components such as full by-wire chassis, air suspension and four-wheel steering as it prepares for production of the new platform, the announcement said. More than 40 companies have already registered interest.
The event combines product displays, keynote speeches and closed-door meetings, with sessions covering industry practice, technology trends, standards and business access. Suppliers will be able to meet directly with IM Motors' technology, purchasing and R&D teams, as well as senior chassis executives, to shorten the path to commercial cooperation.
Selected suppliers will go through a two-stage review process: an initial screening by Gasgoo, followed by a review by SAIC Passenger Vehicle and IM Motors' purchasing and technical teams.
