Gmc, China Joint Venture Bring Huge Number of Vehicles to Auto Shanghai 2007

General Motors Corp. and its China joint ventures showcased a record number of vehicles with GMC truck parts and GMC truck accessories earlier this week at Auto Shanghai 2007.

Both products of the GMC and its China joint ventures were introduced by GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner.

The 41 vehicles from GM represent an array of production, concept and clean-energy products. All six brands offered by the GM family in China are represented on their 4,500-square-meter stand at this year's leading auto show in China.

The Buick Riviera is a ravishing coupe developed with global design input by GM's Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai and by GM’s Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) automotive engineering and design joint venture in the same city. It was created to showcase Buick's new global design direction in a stylish Eastern and Western concept vehicle. It also marks the return of a renowned Buick nameplate after an eight-year halt of production.

Appearing on the GM stand are the Chevrolet Camaro sports car, the Chevrolet WTCC race car and the Cadillac Cien sedan, and other stylish luxury vehicles.

GM and its joint ventures are also displaying an array of products that are currently or will soon be offered in China. One is the new from Buick. The brand's top-of-the-line model, Buick Park Avenue luxury sedan is still fresh from its worldwide debut in Shanghai in April 10. The brand’s lineup also includes Shanghai GM's best-selling model, the Excelle, as well as the ever-popular Buick GL8 executive wagon, and the hot-selling Buick LaCrosse premium sedan.

Two models courtesy of GM's Opel import brand from Germany are being shown for the first time in Asia: The Opel Astra GTC and the Opel Astra TwinTop. The first one is offered with a panorama windshield that gives both the driver and front seat passenger an almost unlimited field of vision. Passengers experience their surroundings just like in the cockpit of an airplane because there is no crossbeam restricting the view. The second one, which was launched in Europe last May 2006, is a slim line four-seat cabrio-coupe that is one of the first cars in its class to feature an innovative three-part roof system.

Cadillac, GM's American luxury brand, has on display all five vehicles that it currently being offered in China. Making its maiden appearance at Auto Shanghai is the Cadillac SLS luxury business sedan.

Saab, GM's premium brand from Sweden, is showcasing four members of its 9-3 family: the Convertible, Linear sedan, Sporthatch and Vector sedan. The Saab 9-5 Aero sedan is also appearing.

The Hong Tu minivan represents the Wuling mini-vehicle brand from SAIC-GM-Wuling. It is also making its first appearance at the Shanghai auto show. Also present is the Sunshine minivan, the GM China family's most popular model.

Chevrolet has on display a range of cars that begin with the k mini-car that is the Chevrolet Spar and go all the way up to the new Chevrolet Epica intermediate sedan, which went on sale across China beginning March. Also included are the standard and sporty versions of the Chevrolet Aveo hatchback, as well as the popular Chevrolet Lova compact sedan.

GM's latest achievement in electric and fuel cell technologies is appearing in the next version of the E-Flex electric architecture. This second variant of the E-Flex system, which is probably a GMC truck part, being shown for the first time in Shanghai uses GM's new fifth-generation fuel cell propulsion technology and a lithium-ion battery. The system was first shown in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in the Chevrolet Volt concept vehicle. The said concept is also appearing on GM's stand.

Auto Shanghai 2007 began last April 22 and will run until April 28 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. Vehicles from GM, Shanghai GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling are being displayed on the GM stand in Hall E1.

General Motors Corporation has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years and the world's largest automaker. Founded in 1908, GM today has about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. GMC truck parts and cars were sold globally under the brands Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. In 2006, millions of trucks were sold.

General Motors China Group President and Managing Director Kevin E. Wale proudly said GM is great to be joining its joint ventures to show the people of China their “beyond limits” lineup of vehicles in addition to some new products and technologies that are making their first appearance in the country. He also said the auto maker’s stand demonstrates how China's vehicle buyers are benefiting from the partnerships today and will continue to benefit from our partnerships well into the future.