JAKARTA - General Motors (GM) has confirmed that the Chevrolet brand will no longer sell new cars for the Chinese market. The decision also ends the retail presence of the more than a century-old automotive brand in the Bamboo Curtain Country after almost 21 years of operation.
Chevrolet was previously one of the brands with significant sales in China. Throughout its journey, the brand has recorded annual sales of more than 760,000 units and has more than 7.5 million owners in the country.
Although it stopped selling new cars in China, GM ensured that Chevrolet's production activities continued. However, its business strategy will be directed to meet the needs of export markets in various countries outside the United States.
Launching from Carnewschina, Tuesday, August 11, GM China said its joint venture would still produce Chevrolet vehicles in China. GM considers the current range of Chevrolet products to be more suitable for meeting the demand of the international market.
Based on data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), exports of Chevrolet vehicles produced in China reached 6,930 units throughout the first half of this year. This figure increased by 6.9 percent compared to the same period last year.
This move is also part of GM's long-term strategy with SAIC Motor. The two companies recently agreed to update their strategic cooperation by extending the operation of the SAIC-GM joint venture for 20 years, until 2047.
In the cooperation, GM and SAIC also target the launch of at least 30 new energy vehicle (NEV) models by 2030. The focus on electrification will be directed primarily at the Cadillac and Buick brands.
GM Global Executive Vice President and President of GM China, John Roth, said the company sees greater opportunities by making China the base for developing the global market.
"We see a huge opportunity to go further than China and face the world," Roth said.
According to him, SAIC-GM's capabilities in engineering, manufacturing, and quality control can be an important capital to expand Chevrolet exports. A number of target areas include the Middle East, Africa, South America, Mexico, and the Asia-Pacific region, with the support of GM's global sales and after-sales service network.
Meanwhile, for consumers who already have a Chevrolet in China, GM ensures that after-sales services continue to run. The company stated that the dealer network will continue to operate, while the availability of spare parts and vehicle maintenance services will not be affected by the decision to stop selling new cars.
Chevrolet's footprint in China itself began in 2005. The brand had reached a period of glory in 2014 with annual retail sales of around 767,000 units. Models such as Cruze became one of the products that drove this achievement.
However, Chevrolet's performance has started to decline since around 2018. Increasing competition with Chinese local brands, the implementation of a controversial three-cylinder engine, and the growth of new energy vehicles are some of the factors that have put pressure on sales.
In 2025, Chevrolet's annual sales in China were recorded at less than 9,000 units. This condition finally prompted GM to change its strategy by maintaining Chevrolet production in China, but making exports the main focus of the brand's business.
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