(October 3, 2011) ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — General Motors and the government of St. Petersburg have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on automotive technology to help sustain growth in the Russian auto industry.

The memorandum on industrial, engineering and research cooperation was signed within the framework of St. Petersburg International Innovation Forum IV.

It covers development of jointly supported research projects, exploring opportunities for exchange of relevant academic and scientific information, visits and exchange between professors, scientists and students and co-development of educational programs in automotive technology.

This long-term prospective cooperation started at St. Petersburg International Innovation Forum III in 2010. Under the current program, leading,   universities in St. Petersburg are conducting applied research and development in the automotive industry, including training young scientists at GM in research and technical centers in the United States

"The GM Global R&D Center in Michigan has been established and successfully operates exactly for this purpose. In a joint project with the Government and universities of St. Petersburg,” said Jim Bovenzi, president and managing director of General Motors Russia and CIS.

“We plan to expand our research capacity and share experience. This mutually beneficial cooperation enables young professionals to realize their potential and gain valuable experience and General Motors to get the inflow of fresh ideas and skilled young people,” Bovenzi said.

"This cooperation is the first step towards the creation of the first R&D center in the automotive industry, in St. Petersburg and in Russia as well. This is an important input to the automotive cluster of our city," said Mikhail Oseevsky, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg.