Automotive supplier Kautex Textron launched a development and validation center in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, on Tuesday, aiming to increase its presence in the Chinese market.

"We will develop and test products closer to the automotive manufacturers in China, as it has become very important in our company's growth strategy," said Vicente Perez-Lucerga, president and CEO of Kautex.

The center, the first of its kind in China, is at Kautex's plant in the Guangzhou Development District.

Wayne Shen, vice-president of Kautex's operations in Asia, said: "The location is perfect, since it is directly connected to serial production. It allows an easy knowledge transfer and much quicker reaction to customer needs.

"We are aiming to develop the Guangzhou center into one of our three major global research centers, providing services for our clients in the Asia-Pacific region."

As one of the leading global suppliers of plastic fuel tank systems and other components, the Germany-based company recorded a year-on-year increase of 7 percent in sales in China in 2011.

After launching the development and validation center, Kautex Textron will open a factory in Chongqing in Southwest China, company sources said.