GM to Invest $250M in Shanghai Energy Research Center

General Motors Corp. says it will invest US$250 million in Shanghai Research Center, which will conduct research on alternative fuels.

GM says it expects vehicles that use alternatives to gasoline wll likely account for about half its global production by 2010, up from a projected 10% share this year.

GM CEO Rick Wagoner said, “We see China as being among the first markets and production sites for alternative propulsion systems.”

The research center will focus on bio-fuels, materials for lighter and more energy-efficient vehicles, electric vehicles, and ways to reduce energy use in vehicle manufacture.