GAC Motors Exports Surge 134% in Early 2025

GAC International Posts Record Export Growth

GAC International, the overseas arm of Chinese automaker GAC Group, reported cumulative exports of 70,474 vehicles from January through April 2025 — a staggering 133.9% year-over-year increase. The performance builds on a strong Q1 that already saw 86% growth in overseas sales.

The rapid acceleration underscores how Chinese EV and auto manufacturers continue to expand aggressively into global markets, even as trade tensions and tariff uncertainties reshape the international automotive landscape.

Canton Fair Generates $10M in Export Orders

At the 139th Canton Fair in mid-April, GAC showcased 3 key models designed for international markets:

• AION i60 — an electric sedan from GAC's dedicated EV brand
• Trumpchi Xianwang S7 — a midsize SUV targeting emerging markets
• Trumpchi Xianwang M8 — a premium MPV for family and commercial use

By the end of the fair's first phase, GAC had secured over 900 intent orders worth an estimated $10 million in export revenue. Customers spanned markets across Africa, South America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Ambitious 2030 Roadmap Targets 120 Countries

During the 2026 Beijing Auto Show on April 24, GAC Group held a dedicated global press conference outlining its long-term internationalization strategy. The company set clear milestones for the next 5 years.

GAC's overseas expansion targets include:

• 2026: 250,000 to 300,000 vehicles in annual overseas sales
• 2030: Presence in 120 countries and regions worldwide
• 2030: A network of over 2,000 overseas service points
• 2030: Annual overseas sales reaching 1 million vehicles

Chen Jiacai, Chairman of GAC International, confirmed the 2026 sales target of 250,000–300,000 units during the event.

Global Footprint Already Spans 5 Continents

GAC's international operations have already reached significant scale. The company currently operates across 102 countries and regions on all 5 continents.

Its existing overseas infrastructure includes:

• 680+ sales and service points worldwide
• 5 overseas production bases for localized manufacturing
• 9 overseas parts warehouses supporting after-sales service

This infrastructure positions GAC among the more globally diversified Chinese automakers, alongside rivals like BYD, Chery, and SAIC's MG brand, all of which are racing to establish footholds in markets from Southeast Asia to Latin America and Europe.

What This Means for Global Auto Markets

GAC's aggressive export push reflects a broader trend of Chinese automakers rapidly gaining international market share. With domestic competition intensifying and overcapacity concerns mounting in China, overseas expansion has become a strategic imperative for virtually every major Chinese auto brand.

For Western automakers, the numbers are a wake-up call. A 134% export surge — even from a relatively modest base — signals that Chinese brands are moving beyond price competition into full-scale global distribution networks with localized production capabilities.

Whether tariff barriers in the EU and the U.S. will slow this momentum remains the key question heading into the second half of 2025.