GM and SAIC celebrate 20th anniversary of first JVs in China

On June 12, General Motors celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the launch of its initial two joint ventures in China with SAIC. SAIC-GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) were established in Shanghai on June 12, 1997.

“SAIC-GM and PATAC have become industry leaders in manufacturing, sales, engineering and design, helping make highly appealing cars for Chinese consumers,” said GM executive vice-president and GM China president Matt Tsien. “These partnerships have also helped spur the growth of China’s automotive industry.”

China has been GM’s largest market since 2012, accounting for more than a third of the company’s global sales. China ended 2016 as the largest market for Buick and the second-largest market for Cadillac and Chevrolet. SAIC-GM, which produces Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles in China, currently offers more than 140 models under more than 20 product lines.

Since its first car came off the line in December 1998, SAIC-GM has sold over 14 million vehicles. Last year, it set a record with deliveries of 1.88 million vehicles in the domestic market.

PATAC has been providing automotive engineering, design, development, testing and validation services to GM, SAIC and SAIC-GM since it opened its doors in 1997. Its achievements include the development of several popular models such as the Buick Excelle GT and new-generation Buick GL8 and GL8 Avenir MPV.

It also developed several notable concept cars that include the Buick Velite concept, which served as the inspiration for the Buick Velite 5 extended-range electric vehicle launched earlier this year, and the Chevrolet FNR-X all-purpose sports concept vehicle, which premiered at Auto Shanghai 2017 in April.

“The automotive industry is undergoing profound change,” said Tsien. “One thing that we believe will not change is the need for strong partnerships. We also believe that China will play a key role in developing future personal mobility, and that SAIC-GM and PATAC will continue to record new achievements in many new areas.”

GM and its joint ventures are well positioned from an alternative propulsion standpoint, investing heavily in highly efficient powertrains and new energy technologies, and deploying a full range of electrification solutions to accommodate changing market needs. GM targets sales of 150,000 new energy vehicles by 2020 and 500,000 units by 2025 under the Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet brands.

In addition, GM has sharpened its focus on connected and intelligent vehicle development in China. By 2020, all Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet products sold in the domestic market will be connected.