GM Family Showcases Record Lineup of Brands and Products at Auto Shanghai 2005
Shanghai, China April 19, 2005; General Motors is joining its joint ventures in China to showcase an unprecedented number of vehicles and brands at Auto Shanghai 2005. This year’s leading auto show in China runs from April 21 to 28.
“We are proud to be displaying our broad lineup of domestically built and imported products once again at what is fast becoming one of the world’s great auto shows,” said Troy A. Clarke, GM Group Vice President and President of GM Asia Pacific.
Nearly 40 vehicles representing the full complement of brands sold by GM and its joint ventures in China - Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, Saab, Opel and Wuling - are on display at GM’s 4,240-square-meter (45,640-square-foot) stand.
The stand features imported production and concept vehicles from GM, domestically built vehicles from Shanghai General Motors and SAIC-GM-Wuling, and a unique concept vehicle from the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). In addition to seven vehicles making their maiden appearance in China , GM has selected Auto Shanghai 2005 as the setting for the global launch of one of its most important vehicles.
“Among the highlights of GM’s exhibit is the all-new Chevrolet Aveo, the first global production model from an international automaker to make its world premiere in China . Following its China debut, the Aveo will be rolled out in some 120 countries around the world,” said Clarke.
“We are also pleased to have the world’s most advanced fuel cell vehicle, the Sequel, at the show. The Sequel is making its first appearance in Asia Pacific, just three months after its North American debut. It brings our vision of sustainable transportation one giant step closer to reality,” Clarke noted.
“The one thing all of our products have in common is that they underscore GM’s growing leadership position in China and China ’s growing leadership position within the global automotive industry. GM has made a long-term commitment to help drive China ’s growth toward an advanced automotive industry,” Clarke added. “By creating unrivaled partnerships, GM is taking the best that the global automotive industry has to offer and tailoring it to serve the evolving needs of consumers across the country.”
Cadillac
Despite being an official member of China ’s luxury vehicle fraternity for less than a year, Cadillac has quickly made its mark. Two versions of the CTS luxury sedan are on display at the GM stand: the imported 3.6-liter CTS and the locally assembled 2.8-liter CTS from Shanghai GM, GM’s flagship joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC).
Also being shown is the SRX medium luxury utility vehicle, which became available in China at the beginning of March. Both an imported version with a 4.6-liter Northstar V-8 engine and a version assembled by Shanghai GM featuring a 3.6-liter V-6 D-VVT engine are on display. In addition, the imported XLR luxury roadster, which will officially come to China later this year, is being featured. Rounding out the Cadillac portfolio at Auto Shanghai 2005 are the Cadillac Sixteen concept car, a 16-cylinder luxurious super-sedan, and the 1959 Eldorado, a true Cadillac icon.
Buick
Buick, GM’s most popular brand in China and the heart of Shanghai GM’s lineup, is well represented at Auto Shanghai 2005. Heading the Buick lineup is the Royaum, Shanghai GM’s top-of-the-line model. Unveiled at the end of last year, the Royaum raises the bar for China ’s domestic premium sedan segment.
The Regal, which like the Royaum is targeted at Chinese elites who are looking for a product that speaks to their status and success, is Shanghai GM’s upper-medium sedan. Two configurations, the recently launched Regal GL 2.5 and Regal GL 3.0, are on display.
Also appearing are the Excelle sedan and HRV hatchback, the joint venture’s entries in China ’s lower-medium passenger car segment. With its appeal to young, style-conscious professionals in their mid-20s to mid-30s, the Excelle family has quickly become a leader in its segment.
Another Buick product on display, the GL8, created the executive wagon segment in China , and has been a mainstay of the Shanghai GM lineup since 2000. Complementing Buick’s production models on the stand is the Vélite concept car, which expresses the true premium style of one of China ’s favorite vehicle nameplates.
Chevrolet
In addition to the world premiere of the Aveo sedan, which will be assembled by Shanghai GM, Chevrolet is represented by the Sail, Epica and Spark.
Both the Chevrolet Sail, a small car from Shanghai GM introduced in February, and the Epica, the joint venture’s new intermediate sedan that goes on sale this month, are leading the charge as Chevrolet becomes GM’s mainstream brand in China.
The Spark, the first Chevrolet car assembled in China, has been a proud member of the domestic mini-car segment since its introduction by SAIC-GM-Wuling - GM China’s mini-vehicle joint venture with SAIC and Wuling Automotive - in December 2003.
Saab
GM’s Saab premium import brand, which was officially launched in China last May, has on display a number of vehicles from its 9-3 and 9-5 ranges. The award-winning 9-3 Sport Sedan and 9-3 Convertible feature progressive yet sporty designs. Both have powerful engines and Saab’s hallmark advanced levels of safety.
The newest member of the Saab family, the 9-3 SportCombi premium midsize wagon, is making its China debut at Auto Shanghai 2005 following its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The 9-5 is a premium sedan that is targeted at the growing number of modern, well-educated and affluent local consumers who appreciate European styling and performance.
Opel
From Opel, GM’s German brand, come the new Astra, Astra GTC, Vectra and Zafira. The new five-door Astra, the third generation of the popular hatchback, symbolizes the dynamics and quality of Opel. The powerful Astra GTC, which is making its China debut at Auto Shanghai 2005, represents the most dramatic interpretation of Opel’s new design language yet.
The latest generations of the Vectra sedan and Zafira MPV, both staples of GM’s import lineup in China for several years, have been redesigned inside and out to meet the changing needs of today’s discriminating consumers.
Wuling
In addition to showcasing its Chevrolet Spark mini-car, SAIC-GM-Wuling is displaying two vehicles from its Wuling brand. The Yangguang is the joint venture’s first new minivan. It has taken the entire segment to a dramatically new level in terms of design, features, safety and emissions.
Launched in November 2002, the Wuling Sunshine minivan has experienced the fastest growth of any Wuling brand product. It is sold primarily to customers in second and third-tier cities who are looking for a reliable vehicle for business and personal use.
PATAC Concept Vehicle
From GM’s unique PATAC automotive engineering and design joint venture with SAIC is the ALA.s concept vehicle. Making its global debut at Auto Shanghai 2005, the ALA.s - which stands for Action Life Activity sedan - is the fourth concept vehicle developed by PATAC in China by Chinese engineers.
Like its predecessors, the Kunpeng, Phoenix and Qilin, the ALA.s is an innovative, modern vehicle. It features design cues inspired by traditional Chinese culture. The vehicle merges the flexibility and performance of a sport utility vehicle with the comfort of a traditional sedan.
Advanced Technology Vehicle
The Sequel represents the latest achievement by GM in its bold push to reinvent the automobile. The technologies embodied in the concept vehicle such as fuel cells, by-wire technology and wheel hub motors have developed so quickly that GM has been able to double the range and halve the acceleration time in the Sequel compared to other current fuel cell vehicles.
2004 was a record year for GM in China . Its vehicle sales grew 27.2 percent to 492,000 units. SAIC-GM-Wuling’s sales rose 30.5 percent to an all-time high of 235,188 units, while Shanghai GM’s sales were up 25.7 percent to a record 252,869 units. In the first three months of 2005, GM and its joint ventures sold 132,401 vehicles.
