Foreign-invested enterprises in Beijing E-Town hit the acceleration button in the first quarter, stepping up international cooperation, technology innovation, and achievement transformation, and yielding fruitful results in multiple areas.

Entering the workshop of Faurecia Beijing, AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) one can see carts loaded with materials busily transporting goods. As an automotive parts supplier, the company mainly produces exhaust systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, providing green solutions with ultra-low emissions. 

In the first quarter, Faurecia Beijing's output value increased by nearly 50 percent compared to the same period last year, a result of meeting deadlines, fulfilling orders, and busy production.

Staff members in the workshop of Faurecia Beijing are busy fulfilling orders. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

With a strong market demand and increased production capacity, more investments are on the way. 

As a leader in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry, Bitzer has increased its investment in China four times recently and is expected to invest up to 300 million yuan ($43.58 million) this year. The company has plans to build a research and development center in Beijing E-Town in its quest to become a more comprehensive smart factory. 

The foundation laying ceremony of Bitzer's R&D center laboratory building was held recently in Beijing E-Town, with construction expected to start this month and be completed in 2024. Operations should begin shortly afterwards.

The foundation laying ceremony of Bitzer's R&D center laboratory building [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

Also in the first quarter, construction began on the main steel structure of Toyota's fuel cell research and production project, a major foreign investment undertaking. 

This project is Toyota's first fuel cell research institution and production plant outside of Japan. After the project is completed and put into operation, it will integrate the research, production, and sales of fuel cell systems for commercial vehicles, with a production capacity of 5,000 to 10,000 fuel cell systems for commercial vehicles annually. 

It is estimated that it will bring an industrial output value of over 3 billion yuan to Beijing E-Town every year after reaching full production.

Toyota's fuel cell research and production project under construction [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

In the first quarter, Synaptic Medical not only obtained the certification as an Offshore Innovation Center in Beijing E-Town, but was also listed as a foreign-funded R&D center in Beijing.

From international leading companies such as AstraZeneca and Varian Medical Systems to small and medium-sized enterprises such as Ponyai (Yixing) and Synaptic Medical, Beijing E-Town has seen a number of companies obtaining certification as foreign-funded R&D centers in Beijing.

Beijing E-Town is rolling out practical measures to create a sound business environment for foreign-funded R&D centers.

This month, the Beijing E-Town Enterprise Association established a branch for foreign-invested enterprises to serve as a bridge between foreign-funded enterprises, the government, and various market service entities. 

Meanwhile, Beijing E-Town is also exploring mechanisms for resolving international intellectual property disputes and building a comprehensive service mechanism for international talents.