Gasgoo Munich- On July 28, SAIC Motor and SAIC-GM, SAIC group's two major passenger car divisions, announced management changes. Lu Xiao has been appointed general manager of SAIC Motor, while Xu Ping succeeds him as general manager of SAIC-GM. Both executives have deep roots at the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), bringing a blend of expertise in R&D, planning, and operations. The reshuffle also facilitates the exchange of electrification experience between SAIC's self-owned and joint venture sectors.
According to an official statement from SAIC Motor, outgoing general manager Wang Jun brings nearly 40 years of experience across the SAIC value chain. His background spans joint ventures, proprietary brands, components, and digitalization. Since taking office in January 2024, Wang implemented an integrated reform for the passenger car division. He upgraded supply chain and manufacturing capabilities while driving the synergistic development of the Roewe and MG brands. Following the adjustment, Wang will continue to serve as deputy chief economist of SAIC Group and party secretary of SAIC Motor.
Lu Xiao. Image source: SAIC Motor
Lu Xiao joined PATAC in 1997 and became the first Chinese chief engineer on a GM global platform. During his tenure leading SAIC-GM, he spearheaded the company's comprehensive transition to smart electric vehicles. He oversaw the rollout of the Xiaoyao Super Fusion Architecture developed by the local team. He also built Buick's premium EV brand, Zhijing, filling out the new-energy lineup across sedans, SUVs, and MPVs. Under his leadership, SAIC-GM achieved the highest EV penetration rate among joint ventures and posted profits for seven consecutive quarters, with operations steadily improving.
Image source: SAIC-GM
Xu Ping, the incoming head of SAIC-GM, has served at SAIC-GM and PATAC since 1998. His resume includes roles such as deputy director of PATAC Powertrain, executive director of Project Management, and executive vice president of PATAC. He also served as executive director of Planning and Development at SAIC-GM. This gives him a comprehensive and deep understanding of corporate R&D, product planning, and overall operations. His rich cross-divisional experience positions him to seamlessly carry out established strategies, including the iteration of the Xiaoyao architecture and the rollout of Zhijing models.
A shared background at PATAC ensures a smooth transition between the two posts. Lu Xiao is importing mature localized electrification experience from the joint venture to SAIC's proprietary brands, aiming to boost the smart electric competitiveness of Roewe and MG. Meanwhile, Xu Ping will rely on the same technical foundation to maintain the pace of SAIC-GM's transformation. This rotation revitalizes the group's internal talent pool. It breaks down technical and management barriers between self-owned and joint venture operations. This supports the high-quality smart and electric development of SAIC Motor's passenger vehicle business.
