SHANGHAI – SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) sold its 1 millionth vehicle this year in China for the fourth consecutive year. It is the earliest the General Motors China joint venture has reached the milestone. In 2011, SGMW sold its 1 millionth vehicle in October.
Through the first eight months of 2012, SGMW sold an average of 3,500 vehicles every day, up 15.2 percent from the same period in 2011. Domestic sales of its Wuling mini-commercial vehicles this year have surpassed 934,000 units, giving the brand about 50 percent of the segment. SGMW also offers passenger cars under the Baojun brand.
SGMW was established in 2002 by GM China, SAIC and Wuling Motors. It has been actively expanding its commercial and passenger vehicle portfolio while boosting its overseas business.
“Our priority is meeting the basic needs of our customers, wherever they may be,” said Yang Jie, general manager of SAIC-GM-Wuling Sales Co. “We are responding to the rapidly changing marketplace by consistently improving the competitiveness of our product lineup.”
In 2010, SGMW introduced its mainstream model – the Wuling Hong Guang – which has sold a cumulative 400,000 units in China. In July of this year, SGMW launched the upgraded Wuling Rong Guang minivan equipped with a new 1.5-liter engine and a range of added amenities.
In 2011, SGMW began rolling out the Baojun brand, starting with the 630 midsize sedans. This year, it has expanded the choice of engines and transmissions in the 630. Last month, the Lechi mini-car was added to the Baojun portfolio. SGMW’s Liudong passenger car production base will begin operation Nov. 18, boosting the joint venture’s annual manufacturing capacity by 400,000 units.
SGMW has also expanded its sales outside China. In July, GM Egypt began production of the Chevrolet Move, which is based on the Wuling Rong Guang in China, from kits supplied by SGMW.
Source: GM
