(Concept Car, For Illustration Only)

SAIC-GM's joint venture contract renewal is for 20 years, whereas in recent years renewals with GAC Honda and SAIC Volkswagen were only for 10 years. There are two most important changes in the renewal! From "China R&D" to "China Definition," this is very rare among joint venture automakers, it can be said to have set a precedent! The huge success of the "Zhijing Model" in 2025 is sufficient to demonstrate the power of this model. The first joint venture vehicle to have a full-domain fusion new energy architecture led by a Chinese team—the "Xiaoyao Super Fusion Architecture," completing the layout of all new energy technologies such as pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and extended range. Zhijing built a full-category product lineup covering sedans, SUVs, and MPVs in just 1 year. The product implementation efficiency is the highest among joint ventures!

(Xiaoyao Super Fusion Architecture)

From now on at SAIC-GM, for what new cars to develop and what technology to develop, the Chinese side leads, no longer needing approval from Detroit, not only completely mastering the initiative but also greatly improving efficiency, able to respond to the market quickly just like Chinese independent brands! Thus realizing 30 new energy vehicles launched within 5 years. Moreover, product definition and R&D have no foreign party intervention, which will reduce R&D costs. Truly achieving new product R&D, fast! Many! Competitive! 30 new energy vehicles locally developed in China, including the Cadillac brand!

The second important change is that SAIC-GM has begun large-scale exports officially. Actually, joint venture enterprises are all exporting, not fresh! But the biggest difference for SAIC-GM is that GM handed over the global market product dominance outside North America to SAIC-GM. This starts from GM's global strategy. After Mary Barra took office as GM Chairman and CEO in 2016, she launched the strategy focusing on North America and global contraction, selling and closing factories in Europe, India, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, etc. In product R&D, focusing on North American users, who like pickup trucks and fuel-powered big V8s. Outside North America, there is a lack of new car R&D investment. SAIC-GM's new energy products just fill this gap! SAIC-GM will first enter Middle East, Africa, South America, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, etc. markets. In October this year, Buick Zhijing E7 will start formal exports.

In the past, the US side provided products, the Chinese side was responsible for sales. Now the Chinese side defines and develops products, the US side is responsible for selling globally. From "Market for Technology" to "Technology for Market"! SAIC-GM realizes Joint Venture 2.0, from Made in China to China R&D, upgraded again to "China Defined"!