Brembo, the global leader in braking solutions, inaugurated its first Asian Inspiration Lab on Monday in Shanghai—its second worldwide following the one in the United States.

The lab will focus on software development, artificial intelligence applications, and data science, marking a significant step in its transformation from a manufacturer to a solutions provider.

"China is the hub of innovation and technology, and it is the most important automotive market. That is the main reason why we are here in China," said Mauro Piccoli, Chief Marketing Officer of Brembo.

The new facility will also foster collaborations with leading universities, innovative startups, and key industry partners to drive pioneering solutions that enhance competitiveness for the group's customers in the global market, said the company.

The Shanghai lab will have around 20 people, including AI and data scientists, said Bogdan Bereanda, president and CEO of Brembo China.

Bereanda did not disclose the initial investment in the lab, but he said the company is committed to continuous investment in China, adding that its total investment in the country over the past years has reached 4 billion yuan ($547 million).

He said the Shanghai lab is an integral part of Brembo's global innovation network, joining the group's first Inspiration Lab in Silicon Valley and 10 R&D centers around the world.

Brembo has one R&D facility in China, as well as one trading company and five production sites in the country, with the first one established in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, in 2001.

China is a key market for Brembo, representing more than 15 percent of the group's annual revenue. Brembo's business in China grew 7.7 percent year-on-year in 2024 to around 5 billion yuan.

Its customers in China include many local carmakers, ranging from Xiaomi and Zeekr to Nio and XPeng.