Gasgoo.com (Shanghai November 26) - General Motors seems to be very impressed by the performance of SAIC-GM-Wuling's Baojun own brand. In a China Business News report appearing today, GM China President Bob Socia stated that he felt Baojun's monthly sales of over 10,000 vehicles was very noteworthy, adding that GM will "definitely" support the own brand's expansion into third- and fourth-tier cities.
SAIC-GM-Wuling has sold a total of 1.21 million vehicles over the first ten months of the year, with nearly 100,000 of those sales being of Baojun sedans. In a market where most manufacturers are experiencing negative year-on-year growth, Wuling's sales have managed to sustain steady positive growth, with its market share now close to 50 percent.
Baojun's first model, the Baojun 630 (pictured), has been delivering on large hopes for the new own brand since its market debut last August. The 630's platform and transmission technology was developed at the SAIC-GM Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, which was also established that same year.
Earlier this month, SAIC-GM-Wuling announced that its new eight billion yuan ($1.27b) production site in Liuzhou, Guangxi, which will focus on building Baojun vehicles, has begun operation.
GM hopes to see the Baojun brand's success expand beyond China, with plans to export SAIC-GM-Wuling's products to overseas markets. According to Mr. Socia, GM will use its sales channels in over 100 countries and the high recognition of the Chevrolet brand to supply consumers worldwide with rebadged SAIC-GM-Wuling products.
