Efi Automotive Accessories Systems (Wuhan) Co in WEDZ. [Photo/WeChat account: whkfq]

Eric Lemaire, CEO of Efi Automotive Asia-Pacific and general manager of Efi Automotive Accessories Systems (Wuhan) Co, has announced plans to expand the company's R&D center in Wuhan.

This expansion will concentrate on developing new energy drive systems and smart sensors, aiming to accelerate technological innovation and product upgrades to support the transformation of Wuhan's automotive industry.

Efi Automotive, a 90-year-old French company, established a presence in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ) in 2004. The company achieved a revenue of 405 million yuan ($59.30 million), with more than $25 million in imports and exports in 2025.

Lemaire, who has worked in Wuhan for nearly 20 years, was recognized as an industry leader in the "Wuhan Talent" program in 2025, benefiting from various forms of support, including subsidies and medical aid.

"Our choice of Wuhan is driven by the city's robust industrial foundation," said Lemaire. "WEDZ offers a complete industrial chain, a favorable environment for innovation, and abundant talent resources, providing fertile ground for our technological R&D and market expansion."

Lemaire also praised Wuhan's ongoing efforts to optimize the business environment, including streamlining processes for business registration, project approval, and factory expansion, as well as offering tax reductions and additional deductions for R&D expenses.