Gasgoo.com (Shanghai May 22) - General Motors is planning to add four new factories in China by 2015, the Nanfang Daily reported today. The manufacturer made the information public in its recently announced development strategy, adding that its total annual production capacity in China will reach five million vehicles by that time. In addition to strengthening its presence in the domestic Chinese market, GM also plans to drastically increase the number of vehicles exported from the country to overseas markets, with the goal of making China one of its key manufacturing regions worldwide.
GM's year-on-year sales growth in China has reached 9.6 percent in the past quarter. The manufacturer, along with its Chinese partners, aims to sell over one million vehicles in the country this year. Bob Socia, president of GM's marketing operations in China, India and the Middle East, attributed the manufacturer's success to its product line up, production capacity and talented staff.
GM and its subsidiary joint venture companies have released or are planning to release a total of 17 brand new or updated models in China in 2013 alone. Mr. Socia added that that GM will continue to pay close attention to the development of the luxury car and SUV segments in the country. The manufacturer already has plans to release nine brand new or updated SUV models within the next five years.
On the export side of things, Mr. Socia predicts the number of GM vehicles exported from China to other markets to reach a new record this year, finishing between 100,000 and 130,000 units. The manufacturer has already succeeded in exporting 25,000 Chinese-made GM vehicles over the first quarter of this year. By 2020, the annual number of GM vehicle exports coming from China is expected to reach 300,000 units.
