By Alberto Alerigi
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Chinese language automaker GAC introduced on Friday its product launch in Brazil, saying it expects its line of hybrid and electrical vehicles to garner market acceptance that might permit it to start out constructing a manufacturing unit within the nation in late 2026.
GAC’s transfer comes at a time of rising competitors on this planet’s sixth-largest automotive market, the place gross sales of electrical automobiles have been rushing up and different Chinese language firms – reminiscent of BYD, Chery and GWM – have additionally made inroads in recent times.
The corporate, which final 12 months had already introduced plans to speculate 6 billion reais ($1.06 billion) in Brazil over 5 years, will launch within the nation on Saturday promoting 4 imported electrical vehicles and a hybrid mannequin.
It expects gross sales to succeed in 100,000 items within the subsequent 5 years, in accordance with GAC Worldwide President Wei Haigang.
“Brazil is a big nation and essential to us,” he mentioned in an interview in Chinese language by a Portuguese interpreter, including that the automaker had a “long-term” technique for the South American nation.
Electrified automobiles symbolize the fastest-growing section within the Brazilian market, with gross sales having jumped 37.4% year-on-year within the first 4 months of 2025 to 70,450 items, whereas gross sales of sunshine automobiles normally rose 3.4% to 714,800 items, in accordance with native group Fenabrave.
“We’re conscious that Brazil is an more and more aggressive market,” Wei mentioned.
He famous that “exterior influences” such because the commerce battle between China and the USA triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s commerce insurance policies and sweeping tariffs didn’t weigh on GAC’s plans in Brazil.
“We developed our technique with the bilateral relationship between Brazil and China in thoughts.”
Wei mentioned that GAC was advancing in discussions with native companions and expects to have the ability to arrange a manufacturing unit in Brazil within the fourth quarter of 2026.
($1 = 5.6545 reais)
(Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr.; Writing by Gabriel Araujo; Enhancing by Aurora Ellis)