Chevrolet Cruze 5. Credit: NBD Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member General Motors has confirmed that the Chevrolet brand will stop selling new cars in the Chinese market. This century-old brand, which once saw annual sales exceed 760,000 units and amassed over 7.5 million Chinese owners, has officially ended its retail operations in China after nearly 21 years. Meanwhile, GM is clarifying that the brand will continue production within the country but will shift its strategic focus toward exporting vehicles to international markets outside of the United States. In a statement to National Business Daily on August 10, GM China confirmed that its joint venture will maintain the production of Chevrolet products in China. The company stated that the Chevrolet product line is now best suited to meet the demands of export markets. A Chevrolet Transformer Edition from 2007. According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Chevrolet’s exports from China reached 6,930 units in the first half of this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.9%. The decision aligns with a broader long-term commitment between GM and SAIC Motor. The two companies recently signed a strategic renewal agreement, extending the SAIC-GM joint venture for another 20 years, until 2047. This marks one of the longest renewal terms among major joint ventures in the region. Furthermore, the partners announced plans to launch at least 30 new energy vehicle (NEV) models by 2030, with a primary focus on the electrification of the Cadillac and Buick brands. John Roth, Executive Vice President of GM Global and President of GM China, highlighted the strengths of the local operation. “We see vast opportunities to move beyond China and face the world,” Roth stated. He noted that SAIC-GM’s robust local capabilities in engineering, manufacturing, and quality can be leveraged to enter markets in the Middle East, Africa, South America, Mexico, and the Asia-Pacific region, supported by GM’s extensive global sales and after-sales networks. Addressing concerns from existing customers, GM emphasised that it will continue to provide comprehensive after-sales service for more than 7.5 million Chevrolet owners in China. The company assured owners that the dealer network will remain operational and that the supply of parts and maintenance services will not be affected. Chevrolet’s journey in China has seen dramatic shifts since its official introduction in 2005. The brand reached a historic peak in 2014 with annual retail sales of approximately 767,000 units, driven by popular models like the Cruze. However, the brand faced a sharp decline starting around 2018, attributed to the controversial adoption of three-cylinder engines, the rapid rise of domestic Chinese brands, and the acceleration of NEV penetration. By 2025, annual sales had fallen to fewer than 9,000 units. Most important news in your inbox. Recaps · scheduled All you need, in one email. Instant alerts · real-time Ping me when an article goes live. 0 of 27 topics selected Bundle into one email per day — instead of one email per article No spam · Unsubscribe with one click · Change settings anytime
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