During the 2025 Shanghai International Auto Show, SAIC GM held a media briefing to comprehensively elaborate on the company’s transition to new energy, technological research and development, localization strategy, and future development plans. SAIC GM General Manager Lu Xiao, Deputy General Manager Xue Haitao, Wang Chendong, and PATAC Executive Deputy General Manager Zeng Yu attended the briefing and engaged in in-depth discussions with the media.
First Quarter Stable Performance, Accelerated New Energy Strategy
Lu Xiao noted that SAIC GM’s terminal sales reached 129,000 units in the first quarter of 2025, with March alone (including exports) accounting for 47,000 units. The company has achieved profitability for two consecutive quarters, exceeding the Board’s expectations in overall business performance. In terms of operational strategy, the company currently places more emphasis on balancing volume and profit, emphasizing profitable growth.
In terms of new energy layout, SAIC GM has launched the Buick’s high-end new energy sub-brand “Zhi Jing”, planning to release 6 new energy models in the next 12 months, all equipped with the latest intelligent cockpit and assisted driving technology. The company’s target is to achieve over 50% new energy sales by 2026 and 60% by 2027, with all new energy products being profitable, moving away from loss-making sales.
Regarding the impact of market tariff changes, Lu Xiao pointed out that the localization rate of SAIC GM’s models exceeds 95%, and tariff adjustments have a limited impact on vehicle prices. Currently, there are no plans for price adjustments. Meanwhile, he confirmed that shareholders are actively advancing joint venture renewal negotiations and maintaining a high degree of alignment on SAIC GM’s future development.
Tackling the Challenge of Independent Brands, Deepening Localization R&D
Facing the competitive pressure from the rise of independent brands, Lu Xiao stated that SAIC GM will rely on the new “Xiaoyao” super hybrid architecture to drive the transition to electrification, intelligence, and high value. Zeng Yu introduced that the “Xiaoyao” architecture has high flexibility, supporting various vehicle forms such as sedans, SUVs, MPVs, and power forms like pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and range extension, enhancing platform development efficiency while accommodating future technological advancements.
In intelligent development, SAIC GM is deeply collaborating with Momenta to strengthen the application of L2 level urban assisted driving technology, planning to fully deploy L2 assisted driving features on new platform models to ensure industry-leading safety standards. Additionally, the new electronic and electrical architecture will realize 1,800+ atomic service modules, flexibly meeting smart demands in different scenarios.
Parallel Development of New Energy and Combustion Vehicles
While transitioning to new energy, SAIC GM also adheres to a “Parallel Oil and Electricity” strategy. Lu Xiao pointed out that by 2027, combustion vehicles will still hold over 25% of the market share. The company will continue to maintain about 8 combustion model series, enhancing the layout of plug-in hybrid and range extension models to meet diverse market demands. Wang Chendong added that the company is also advancing intelligent upgrades on combustion models, including smart cockpit functions and assisted driving systems, while continuously optimizing OTA upgrade capabilities for combustion vehicles.### Technological Innovation and R&D System Reform
Zeng Yu revealed that SAIC GM is comprehensively optimizing its R&D system. Based on the Super Integration Architecture, the company is enhancing development efficiency through parts commonality and platform sharing. It also introduces more user-oriented innovation mechanisms into the original GVDP process to address the industry’s accelerating technological iteration. Lu Xiao emphasized that SAIC GM will integrate the advantageous resources of both shareholders to define products locally, enhancing agility in responding to market changes.
Battery Safety Technology Upgrade
In response to the recent focus on electric vehicle safety issues, Zeng Yu stated that SAIC GM adheres to the highest requirements for battery safety standards and leads in participating in the formulation of national battery safety standards. It promotes rigorous thermal diffusion control and multi-redundancy protection design. The company’s newly released 900 V ultra-fast charging battery uses new multi-surface water-cooling technology, significantly improving heat dissipation capability and enhancing collision safety through integrated battery and body structure design. As of now, the Buick E5 has driven over 700 million kilometers without a single spontaneous combustion incident.
Marketing and Brand Strategy Adjustment
In terms of marketing strategy, SAIC GM implements a “one-price” system to enhance nationwide price transparency, reinforcing brand value through a stable pricing system. Xue Haitao stated that the average transaction price for the Buick brand in the first quarter reached 210,000 RMB, a significant increase from last year, while the Cadillac brand remains in the 270,000-280,000 RMB range, with the overall brand image continuously rising.
In product layout, Buick will leverage the “Zijing” sub-brand to expand into the high-end new energy market, reinforcing core attributes like quality, safety, comfort, and silence. Cadillac will also accelerate the launch of new energy products, maintaining the brand’s luxury heritage.
Future Outlook
Lu Xiao emphasized that SAIC GM will continue to invest in areas such as new energy, intelligence, and localized R&D, remaining user-centric and committed to high-quality development. Over the next two to three years, the company will focus on launching multiple new energy products and promoting the widespread application of intelligent assisted driving, striving for transformational breakthroughs in fierce market competition.
This communication meeting fully demonstrated SAIC GM’s determination and technical reserves for transformation in the new energy era, painting a new path for joint venture brands to respond to the new competitive landscape in the Chinese market.
This article is a translation by AI of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.