From left: Yu Jun, president of GAC Motor, Ryan La Fontaine, chairman of 2018 NAIAS, Feng Xingya, president of GAC Group, Rick Snyder, governor of state of Michigan, Zhang Qingsong, vice-president of GAC Group and Wang Qiujing, president of GAC Engineering are pictured at the North American International Auto Show held from Jan 14 to 28. Photos Provided to China Daily
Innovative enterprise on a roll, in ambitious drive to build world-class brand
GAC Motor - the cutting-edge subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Group - unveiled two new models of the GA4 and the electric concept car Enverge to acclaim at the North American International Auto Show.
They demonstrated the company's innovation in research, achievements in manufacturing and its determination to build a world-class brand.
It was the fourth year that the Chinese carmaker displayed its brands and products at the NAIAS, one of the world's most prestigious auto shows, which opened on Jan 14.
According to the company, GAC Motor's various models will officially enter the US market in 2019.
The GA4 is a brand new compact sedan, independently developed by GAC Motor for the A-class sedan market, with the design displaying a grand and fashionable vision with ample interior space and excellent driving comfort.
The company said the introduction of the GA4 further enriches its product matrix, which covers the A-level to C-level sedan market.
The group is bringing the new sedan to Chinese market on Jan 18 in Shanghai.
Adding to the action, GAC Motor unveiled its first compact sport-utility new energy concept vehicle, the Enverge, to demonstrate its innovative leadership in core environmental technologies.
The Enverge is GAC's latest exploration in the field of crossover electric vehicles. Featuring many technological achievements, the Enverge demonstrates the innovative allure of NEVs and the group promises that it creates a new driving experience for energetic young drivers.
GAC Motor's high-end strategic models - the GA8, GS8, and GM8 - are also at 2018 NAIAS, to demonstrate the company's product strength together with other signature models, including the GS3, GS4, GS7 and GA6.
The high-end sedan GA8 starred at several recent international events, including the 2017 World Economic Forum, the G20 summit, and the Fortune Global Forum, which were held last year. It has been hailed as a symbol of Chinese high-end manufacturing.
The flagship luxury seven-seat GS8 SUV has been well received by global customers and has broken sales records in the spacious large-sized SUV segment. This prime SUV model enables GAC Motor to deliver high quality, exceptional performance vehicles with an excellent user experience that exceed the expectations of global consumers.
As GAC Motor's first high-end minivan, the GM8 integrates the company's self-developed cutting-edge technologies and aims to meet the growing demand from consumers for a better driving experience for families and commercial clients.
GAC Motor said it is delivering to its target consumers exceptional quality and safety with the GM8, which was released at the end of 2017 and is making its first overseas appearance at the 2018 NAIAS.
"With the release of GA8, GS8, and GM8 models, GAC Motor has covered the high-end sedan, SUV and minivan market with a complete rollout of luxury C-Class vehicles," said Yu Jun, president of GAC Motor.
These three models highlight why GAC Motor has been continually recognized as China's most innovative automaker. It is a major milestone for GAC Motor - as the company begins to transit to a new era of Chinese-led global products, according to Yu.
GAC Motor aspires to take an active part in integrating China into the tide of the global auto industry. The company represents the significant achievements of Chinese brands in terms of quality improvement.
In 2017, GAC Motor established its North American R&D center in Silicon Valley and hosted job fairs in Silicon Valley, Detroit and Boston. In January 2018, GAC Motor began another round of on-campus and social recruitment programs in the US, to attract emerging talent in diverse fields.
GAC Motor is also expanding its efforts to raise brand awareness and increase its influence. Later this year, GAC Motor will announce a new branding strategy to the world, as well as a new English brand name to better serve its global consumers, according to Yu.
"Our strategic goal is to create a world-class brand that excels in research, manufacturing and sales," Yu added.
GAC Motor North America Sales Company - the new corporate entity which is set to be established in 2018 - will attend the annual convention of the National Automobile Dealers Association in Las Vegas this March.
The event will further expand its distribution network and dealership resources to better prepare for entering the North American market in the fourth quarter of 2019.
"In pursuit of the North American market, GAC Motor stands ready to share our high-quality products and work with local organizations to create a better life of mobility," Yu said.
