Shanghai – General Motors has
begun a year-long celebration of its 15 years of successful
operation in China under the theme of “Your Success is Our
Success.”
Consumers are invited to
participate in a wide range of activities celebrating the
winning products and technology firsts that GM and its joint
ventures have brought to the Chinese vehicle market.
GM China is joining the online
community for a series of interactive programs, encouraging the
public to share their photos and stories of GM vehicles, take
part in GM quizzes and challenge their memories of classic GM
models in China. Winners will receive special prizes, including
the opportunity to visit GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which
manufactures the Chevrolet Volt, and Warren Technical Center in
the U.S.
The celebration will conclude in
June 2012, the 15th anniversary of the official establishment of
GM’s flagship manufacturing joint venture, Shanghai GM, and
engineering and design joint venture, the Pan Asia Technical
Automotive Center (PATAC).
“Over the past 15 years, China’s
automotive industry and market have experienced fundamental
change,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the
GM China Group. “By working in China, with China and for China,
we have helped transform the automobile from a luxury into a
commodity, making personal four-wheel transportation available
to more people. We welcome our loyal customers and others
interested in the GM story to celebrate along with us.”
Last year, GM sold more than 2.35
million Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jiefang, Opel and Wuling
passenger cars and commercial vehicles nationwide. GM offers the
broadest lineup of vehicles and brands among all automakers in
China. Since 1999, GM and its joint ventures have introduced
more than 40 models, many of which have been engineered in
China. The company’s new indigenous brand, Baojun, begins
selling the all-new Baojun 630 sedan this month.
GM has helped make personal
transportation more affordable by continually rolling out new
and upgraded products in a range of segments while introducing
new services such as automotive financing. GM has also made the
car buying experience more convenient by expanding its network
of retailers, which covers all of China’s provinces.
Shanghai GM was the first joint
venture in China to manufacture a new global product in 1999,
beginning with its original family of Buick sedans. Among its
most successful models have been the Buick GL8, which pioneered
the executive wagon segment in 2000; the Buick Sail, China’s
first affordable family car, which was introduced in 2001; and
the Wuling Sunshine minivan, which was introduced in 2002 and
has been China’s best-selling vehicle for eight consecutive
years.
Shanghai OnStar Telematics has
helped Chinese consumers enjoy a safer and more convenient
driving experience since it began offering its services in 2009.
GM customers benefit from OnStar’s unparalleled safety and
security services, hands-free calling, vehicle diagnostics and
turn-by-turn navigation assistance. Earlier this summer, OnStar
introduced the first mobile application available in China.
Owners can access their cars from the comfort of their home or
office using their smart phone for OnStar services such as
remote vehicle startup, remote horn and lights, and remote door
lock/unlock.
GM has led in the creation of an
industry value chain that extends beyond just manufacturing and
selling its products in China. GM operates 11 joint ventures in
China in the full scope of its business, including vehicle and
powertrain manufacturing, sales and aftersales, engineering and
design, automotive financing and telematics, and second-hand
vehicles.
“As GM looks back, we are also
looking forward,” said Wale. “We recently announced our
five-year plan for continued success in China. As part of the
plan, we are addressing our vision of sustainable mobility in
which the motor vehicle promises to be cleaner, greener and
safer. Partnerships between Chinese and global institutions will
remain essential for making the vision a reality.”
