GKN Automotive attends British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai 110-year anniversary dinner

The British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai has been at the forefront of fostering trade, dialogue, and collaboration, between the two countries, supporting generations of companies and professionals. The annual dinner brings together leaders from government, business, and academia to celebrate this legacy and look ahead to the future of UK-China partnership.

In 1988, GKN Automotive became the first Tier 1 automotive supplier to form a joint venture in China, Shanghai GKN HUAYU Driveline Systems, known as ‘SDS’, supporting Chinese and established OEMs with production in the region to support growing domestic demand. Today, the company’s footprint has expanded to an R&D Centre, 10 manufacturing sites and more than 4,000 employees, making it the market leader in sideshafts and propshafts in the region.

The evening, which kicked off with a keynote speech from Peter Wilson CMG, British Ambassador to China, was a great opportunity for GKN Automotive’s management to connect with senior government officials from Shanghai and beyond.

During the dinner, representatives from the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, including Carma Elliot, BritCham Shanghai UK Advisory Board Member and Stuart Dunn, Executive Director spoke on the history and enduring reputation of the ties between the two countries, how they have supported business in the region, as well as a look into the future.

The event also provided an opportunity for GKN Automotive to showcase products from its market-leading drive system portfolio. Attendees were able to learn more about the company via a video played to guests, as well as gaining first-hand experience with two components from the extensive product catalogue: the XPS-BAR-XPS sideshaft and the 800V 2-speed off-road 3-in-1 eAxle.

As a trusted partner of 80% of OEMs in China, the event provided a great opportunity to underline GKN Automotive’s strategy of ‘In China, for China’ and reaffirm its commitment to supporting the shift to electrification in the region.

The event was attended by senior GKN Automotive leaders, including Charlie Qiu, GKN Automotive China President and Joontiew Too, Finance Director for GKN Automotive China.

Several other members of the GKN Automotive China team were on the ground during the event, including Victor Treichl, Nancy Shi, Eric Jiang, Mike Xu, Joy Hou, Richard Lee and Yunlong Huo.

During the evening, President of GKN Automotive China, Charlie Qiu, took time to reflect on the work of the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai and shared his thoughts on the company’s extensive history in China:

“GKN Automotive was among the first British companies to enter the Chinese market, with Shanghai selected as its base for growth. Over the years, we have expanded in tandem with China’s rapid economic development—particularly that of Shanghai. Throughout this journey, the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai has offered invaluable support, for which we are deeply grateful.”