On July 16, 2026, GAC Group's 30-millionth vehicle rolled off the production line, achieving this milestone in just 29 years. The group exported over 130K vehicles in 2025 and over 120K in the first half of 2026, up 132% year-on-year. Products now cover 110 countries and regions, with 7 overseas factories and 746 overseas outlets.
30 Million Units: 29 Years of Acceleration
On July 16, 2026, in Guangzhou—GAC Group's headquarters—a brand-new GAC vehicle slowly rolled off the production line. This was the 30-millionth vehicle in GAC Group's history. From the first vehicle in 1997 to the 30-millionth, GAC took only 29 years, setting a new record for Chinese automaker development.
More symbolically significant is the continuously accelerating pace:
- The first 10 million units took 17 years (1997–2014)
- The second 10 million units shrank to 7 years (2014–2021)
- The third 10 million units required only just over 4 years (2021–2026)
This acceleration curve reflects the overall leap of China's automotive industry. GAC Group General Manager Feng Xingya stated at the ceremony that the 30-millionth milestone represents not just accumulation in quantity but a qualitative leap—"From follower to pace-setter, and then to leader in some fields, GAC has witnessed and participated in the rise of China's automotive industry."
Export Acceleration: From 130K Annually to 120K in Half a Year
GAC Group's globalization strategy entered an explosive phase in 2025–2026.
Full-year 2025: GAC Group exported over 130,000 complete vehicles, a year-on-year increase of over 47%, ranking among the top eight Chinese brands by export volume. This achievement was realized against a complex global trade environment and rising tariff barriers in some markets, demonstrating the international competitiveness of GAC products.
First half of 2026: Export momentum further accelerated—exports exceeded 120,000 units, a year-on-year surge of 132%. This means GAC nearly matched its full-year 2025 export total in just six months.
GAC's globalization layout exhibits a three-in-one characteristic of "vehicle exports + localized production + supply chain synergy":
| Dimension | Data/Progress | Strategic Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Countries/Regions Covered | 110 | Major global markets largely covered |
| Overseas Outlets | 746 | Sales and service network continuously expanding |
| Overseas Factories | 7 | Deep localization from trade to manufacturing |
| Thailand Factory | 10,000th unit produced | Core manufacturing base in Southeast Asia taking shape |
| Austria Factory | AION UT mass production | Entry into European premium manufacturing system |
Localization Depth: From Vehicles to Ecosystems
GAC's overseas model is evolving from pure product exports to industrial chain localization.
In Thailand, the GAC AION Thailand factory has achieved scaled production, with the 10,000th vehicle rolling off the line in 2026. The factory serves not only the Thai domestic market but also radiates to neighboring Southeast Asian countries, becoming GAC's manufacturing and export hub in the ASEAN region.
In Graz, Austria, the factory established through GAC's partnership with Magna has begun mass production of the AION UT model. This marks the first time a Chinese automaker has achieved localized mass production within Europe's mature automotive industrial system, signaling GAC's strategic upgrade from "product exports" to "manufacturing exports."
GAC Group Chairman Zeng Qinghong has emphasized on multiple occasions that GAC's internationalization is not simply low-price exports but a holistic output of "technology + brand + service." The company is expanding from pure vehicle exports to full-chain coverage including KD assembly, supply chain localization, brand operations, and after-sales services.
Looking ahead, GAC has set a clear mid-term target of "500,000 annual overseas sales by 2027." Amid the global wave of electrification and intelligent transformation, GAC is attempting to occupy a more important position in the global automotive market under the new label of "Intelligent Manufacturing from China." Readers interested in the globalization of China's automotive industry can find more exclusive data and in-depth analysis at EX1000.COM.
