Today General Motors celebrated the 20th anniversary of its initial two joint ventures in China with SAIC—SAIC-GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), which were both established in Shanghai on June 12, 1997.
“SAIC-GM and PATAC have become industry leaders in manufacturing, sales, engineering and design, helping make highly appealing cars for Chinese consumers,” said GM Executive Vice President and GM China President Matt Tsien. “These partnerships have also helped spur the growth of China’s automotive industry.”
Since 2012, China has been GM’s largest market accounting for more than a third of the American automaker’s global sales. Last year, China was the largest market for Buick and the second-largest market for Cadillac and Chevrolet. SAIC-GM produces Buick, Chevrolet, and Cadillac vehicles in China, and currently offers over 140 models in the country under more than 20 product lines.
GM Vehicles: Discover the benefits that come with investing in a certified pre-owned Impala
SAIC-GM has sold over 14 million vehicles since its first car came off the line in December 1998, setting a record last year with deliveries of 1.88 million vehicles in the domestic market.
PATAC, GM’s other joint venture with SAIC, has been providing automotive engineering, design, development, testing, and validation services to GM, SAIC and SAIC-GM since opening in 1997. The company can take credit for the development of several popular models, including the Buick Excelle GT and new-generation Buick GL8 and GL8 Avenir MPV, and notable concepts such as the Buick Velite concept and the Chevrolet FNR-X.
“The automotive industry is undergoing profound change,” said Tsien. “One thing that we believe will not change is the need for strong partnerships. We also believe that China will play a key role in developing future personal mobility, and that SAIC-GM and PATAC will continue to record new achievements in many new areas.”
GM Vehicles: Take a closer look at the Chevy Impala’s specs and standard features
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.