Delphi Corp, the world's largest car parts supplier, announced yesterday a US$50 million investment in a technical centre to be built in Shanghai.

The centre would carry out research and development for car components aimed at both the local and international markets, a top company executive said. 'China offers a very large, growing market,' said Guy Hachey, president of Delphi Energy and Chassis Systems.

Delphi has more than US$400 million invested on the mainland through 12 corporate entities, not including the planned centre.