General Motors and SAIC Motor have extended their joint venture partnership by 20 years to 2047, strengthening their long-term commitment to China’s automotive market and setting the stage for a new phase of growth at SAIC-GM. The renewed agreement is expected to support SAIC-GM’s technology transformation, product expansion and efforts to achieve sustainable profitability in China and selected international markets.
John Roth, GM Senior Vice President and President of GM China, said the agreement reflects the companies’ confidence in SAIC-GM and its long-term potential. He said GM remains committed to competing strongly in China while exploring growth opportunities in markets including the Middle East, Africa, South America, Mexico and Asia-Pacific.
Established in 1997, SAIC-GM has manufactured and delivered more than 20 million vehicles and developed comprehensive vehicle engineering and development capabilities in China. The joint venture is increasingly relying on products developed locally to respond faster to changing customer preferences and the rapid transformation of China’s automotive market.
As demand shifts towards electric and intelligent vehicles, SAIC-GM plans to introduce at least 30 new energy vehicle (NEV) models by 2030. The company will also increase the use of technologies developed by its China-based teams and sharpen its focus on the Buick and Cadillac brands.
Buick’s premium electric vehicle sub-brand ELECTRA, launched in 2025, is a key part of this strategy. Its Xiao Yao super architecture was developed under the leadership of a Chinese engineering team and is designed to support rapid product development and deployment.
Within its first year, the ELECTRA portfolio has expanded to sedan, SUV and MPV models, with battery electric, plug-in hybrid and extended-range electric powertrains. The Buick ELECTRA E7 has emerged as a strong performer, recording more than 10,000 units in sales during its first month and setting one of the fastest initial sales rates among NEVs launched by automotive joint ventures in China.
SAIC-GM is also looking to take products developed in China into selected overseas markets. The Buick ELECTRA E7 is scheduled to begin international expansion in October, becoming the company’s first premium NEV model to be exported. The extended partnership gives SAIC-GM a longer-term platform to build on its local engineering capabilities, expand its NEV portfolio and pursue opportunities in both China and international markets.
With the automotive industry undergoing rapid changes in electrification, intelligent vehicle technology and software-led development, GM and SAIC are positioning the joint venture for its next phase of transformation while continuing to serve customers in China and beyond. General Motors continues to operate a diverse portfolio of brands, including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC, offering a wide range of vehicles across global markets. The company’s strategy combines investments in traditional powertrain technologies with the development of next-generation mobility solutions, ensuring it remains competitive across multiple segments.
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With approximately 23,000 employees, SAIC brings together a workforce focused on delivering technology solutions for complex government and national security requirements. The company is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and generates annual revenue of approximately $7.3 billion.
