GAC Motor unveils SUV as it taps demand for domestic brands

Launching a new generation of a large and medium-sized SUV, armed with advanced technology and intelligence, would help GAC Motor to strengthen the position of domestically-made vehicles in the high-end automobile market, according to a senior company executive.

"As we know, a good manufacturing platform makes a good car – the second generation of GS8 is born in the GPMA-L platform, the modular architecture of GAC global platform," said Zhang Yuesai, president of GAC Motor.

GAC Motor, a subsidiary of the Guangzhou-based GAC Group, launched sales of the second generation of GS8 in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, on Dec 12.

The new domestically-made GS8, available both in fuel-powered and hybrid models, sells for between 186,800 yuan ($29,300) to 246,800 yuan.

Three core advantages, namely strong power, high technology, and luxury design, would bring consumers an extremely fuel-efficient and comfortable driving experience, said Zhang.

Market demand for high-end domestically-manufactured vehicles has steadily increased in recent years, according to Zhang.

Sales of China's homemade vehicles rose 7.2 percent year-on-year to 1.02 million units in November, with market shares accounting for 46.6 percent, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

In response to market demand for vehicles that are less dependent on gasoline, GAC Motor will focus on development of more hybrids in the years ahead, Zhang said during a media briefing in November.

The company plans to realize production of hybrids for all of its car varieties by 2025, according to Zhang, adding its sales of hybrids will account for more than 60 percent of its total by 2030.

qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn