NOVEMBER 17, 2016 – ANN ARBOR, MICH. — SF Motors, with support from Ann Arbor SPARK, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), and Pittsfield Township, recently chose the Ann Arbor region for its U.S. research and development operations. The company will invest more than $10.7 million in the project, which will create 150 new jobs.
SF Motors is a subsidiary of auto manufacturer and supplier Sokon Industry Group, one of the top 500 private companies in China. SF Motors is a driving force for next-generation electric vehicles. Headquartered in the San Francisco area, SF Motors is tapping in to the engineering and technical talent in the Ann Arbor region for its research and development operations.
“Ann Arbor attracts global attention from companies like SF Motors because it’s one of the few places in the world that has a confluence of mobility innovation and talent,” said Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. “The significant investment that SF Motors is making in the Ann Arbor region is a sign of confidence; the company recognizes that this region can support its long-term growth as it works to bring its electric vehicle technology to market.”
The Ann Arbor region was chosen over a few competing sites outside of Michigan.
“Pittsfield Township’s outstanding quality of life along with its ability to seamlessly connect, both physically and virtually, to essential infrastructure and talent, provides for a diverse business community,” noted Mandy Grewal, Pittsfield Township Supervisor. “SF Motors will further enhance the diversity and vibrancy of our business community while allowing us to continue investing in amenities that make Pittsfield Township a premier destination in which to live, work and recreate.”
“We are excited to build our engineering R&D center in Pittsfield Township,” said CEO of SF Motors, Inc. John Zhang. “Michigan is at the cutting edge of new automotive technologies as well as being an engineering powerhouse and we want to be a part of this great community.”
SF Motor’s expansion to the Ann Arbor region was awarded a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant by the MEDC.
“Despite the transformation of the automotive industry in the world, Michigan remains the global center for automotive research and development. The establishment of our Engineering R&D center in Michigan is an integral part of our global business strategy,” added chairman of Sokon Industry Group Xinghai Zhang. “We are thankful for the support the State of Michigan has shown us and look forward to working with the local government for years to come.”
