GM Denies Chevrolet Production Halt in China, Turns to Exports; SAIC-GM Extends JV to 2047

On August 6, reports emerged that Chevrolet would stop selling in China. The same day, General Motors responded officially, stating that Chevrolet will not halt production in China, that after-sales service guarantees for existing Chinese owners will not be reduced, and that the dealer network will continue to operate normally. GM explained that the Chevrolet product line under the joint venture is best suited for export to overseas markets, and the company will continue manufacturing in China while actively pursuing international market opportunities outside the United States.

For Chinese Chevrolet owners who have already purchased vehicles, GM pledged that the complete after-sales service system will continue to operate, with parts supply, maintenance and repair, and warranty rights unaffected. Several Chevrolet after-sales repair and maintenance operations in Henan province are continuing as normal. On-site staff said the manufacturer has clearly informed dealers that it will continue to meet the service needs of existing owners, and that the parts supply channels remain unchanged.

The Chevrolet brand was officially introduced to the Chinese market by Shanghai GM in 2005. At that time, Buick had already secured a high-end business positioning in the domestic market, leaving considerable room in the 100,000-RMB family car segment. GM rebranded the Buick Sail as Chevrolet, pairing it with the Epica as the initial lineup to break into the mass consumer market. In 2007, after the release of the film Transformers, Chevrolet's brand awareness rose significantly, and the Camaro became a sought-after model. In 2009, the Cruze was launched, and with its dynamic design and sporty chassis, monthly sales peaked above 28,000 units. Subsequently, models such as the Malibu, Trax and Equinox were introduced, giving the product matrix coverage across multiple market segments. In 2014, Chevrolet's annual sales in China reached a historical high of 767,000 units, with nearly 1,000 dealer outlets nationwide.

In 2018, GM pushed a three-cylinder engine strategy, and Chevrolet's main models were fully switched to three-cylinder powertrains, triggering consumer resistance and a sales downturn. Combined with factors such as the rise of Chinese brands and the penetration of new-energy vehicles, Chevrolet sales continued to slide. In 2019, sales fell to 410,000 units, and in 2025, full-year sales were fewer than 9,000 units. Chevrolet's official Weibo account has not been updated for more than a year, with its last post in February 2025.

On August 5, SAIC and GM signed a joint-venture extension agreement, extending the Shanghai GM joint venture term by 20 years to 2047, the longest extension arrangement among mainstream joint-venture automakers. The two parties announced that at least 30 new-energy models will be launched by 2030, with a focus on the electrification transformation of the Cadillac and Buick brands.