SAIC-GM-Wuling’s Baojun passenger car brand had record domestic sales in September, as it prepares to begin exporting to other emerging markets.
Demand for the indigenous brand from GM’s joint venture with SAIC and Wuling Motors rose 9.6 percent from September 2012 to 10,028 units. For the first nine months as a whole, sales were up 27.8 percent to a record 69,187 units.
Baojun has grown its product lineup since the brand’s introduction in August 2011. It currently includes the 630 midsize sedan and Le Chi mini-car. In 2014, a new hatchback and MPV will be added, strengthening the Baojun portfolio.
Despite its youth, Baojun has won many awards. At the 2013 China Automotive Industry Science and Technology Awards, the 630 won the Second Class Award for its reliability.
In the recent 2013 China Automobile Customer Satisfaction Index, which surveyed consumers who had owned their vehicles for between two months and two years, the 630 was number one among midsize passenger cars priced below RMB 70,000, the Le Chi was number one among mini-cars priced below RMB 50,000, and Baojun was number one among indigenous brands and in aftersales service.
SAIC-GM-Wuling will begin exporting a version of the Baojun 630 starting at the end of 2013. It will be sold as the Chevrolet Optra in North Africa from early 2014. The joint venture is already exporting products from its Wuling brand, including the Rong Guang minivan and the Hong Guang MPV.
“Baojun has become a highly recognized brand and a formidable competitor since its launch,” said Ray Bierzynski, executive vice president of SGMW. “With its superior quality and good reputation, we expect products from the Baojun family to win in overseas markets as well.”
