Chinese automaker GAC wants to be a big player in the Australian market, with plans to be among the top 10 best-selling brands Down Under by the end of the decade.
GAC arrived here late last year, launching with the petrol-powered Emzoom small SUV, electric Aion V mid-size SUV and plug-in hybrid M8 people mover.
Since then, the manufacturer has introduced the Aion UT electric city hatch, bringing its total offering to four models.
However, the lineup is set to expand to a whopping 10 models by 2030, by which time GAC is also targeting a network of 100 dealer locations across the country.
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“Within five years, with ten models and more than 100 dealers, we aim to be top 10,” said GAC Australia CEO Kevin Shu at the local launch of the Aion UT.
“Maybe even one or two years early to achieve this target.”
To put Mr Shu’s bold goals into context, GAC currently operates out of 30 locations in Australia. Its sales volume can’t be quantified, as GAC doesn’t yet report to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
To climb into the top 10, GAC will likely need to deliver at least 40,000 vehicles per year, based on 2025 VFACTS sales data.
The brand’s strategy to achieve this can be simplified down to two pillars – a relevant product range and wide dealer coverage.
“The segments are very clear, SUVs make up more than 60 per cent, pickups 20 per cent, and the rest for passenger cars and people movers. These segments are 100 per cent linked with the GAC product strategy,” explained Mr Shu.
“That’s why we focus more than 10 models on SUV and pickup.
“GAC can also cover all the engine [types] to survive this market. This is our first foundation to achieve the target.
“Second… our strategy is to choose reasonable and powerful partners in this market. This can help us to receive enough traffic to survive, to receive the orders, to deliver for customers, and then we provide a high level of customer service and smart technology compared with other Chinese brands.”
Chinese automakers have been known to set ambitious targets upon entering our market, but it remains to be seen how many will ultimately achieve such goals.
Some have already cracked the top 10, making the top five the next frontier.
Last year, GWM was the seventh best-selling brand in Australia with BYD in eighth spot, MG in 10th, and Chery knocking on the door of the top 10 in 13th position.
GWM wants to be a “sustainable top five” player, BYD is aiming to finish “close to the top three” in 2026, MG wants to be in the top five by 2027 and the top three by 2030, and Chery wants to be in the top five by 2027 with sister brand Omoda Jaecoo also in the top 10.
GAC may have a mountain to climb to match their numbers – GWM alone delivered 52,809 vehicles last year – but it arrives with the backing of parent company Guangzhou Automobile Group, which produces more than two million vehicles annually in China and Thailand.
It sells vehicles under the GAC brand in export markets, though in China it markets separate GAC Trumpchi (mass-market vehicles), Hyptec (premium electric vehicles) and Aion (EV) brands.
MORE: Explore the GAC showroom
