GAC Group Surpasses One Million Vehicle Sales in First Eight Months, Self-Owned Brands Jump Over 30 Percent

On September 7, 2026, GAC Group announced that its cumulative vehicle sales from January to August reached 1.0126 million units, marking a year-on-year increase of 0.21 percent. The company’s self-owned brands demonstrated particularly strong momentum, with sales totaling 461,500 units during the same period—a substantial surge of 31.44 percent compared to the previous year. In August alone, self-branded vehicle sales hit 61,400 units, raising their share of the group’s total monthly volume to 48.49 percent.

The group also reported notable progress in overseas markets, with exports reaching 172,000 units over the eight-month span, representing a remarkable 136 percent jump from the same period last year. This export growth underscores GAC’s expanding global footprint amid intensifying competition in the domestic automotive sector.

Looking at August performance in isolation, GAC Group sold 126,600 vehicles, reflecting a decline of 6.71 percent year-on-year. The dip was primarily attributed to continued pressure on its joint-venture brands, which have faced headwinds from shifting consumer preferences and heightened rivalry in China’s crowded auto market. However, the robust growth in self-owned brand sales helped cushion the overall downturn, signaling a strategic pivot toward proprietary models and technology.

Industry analysts note that GAC’s self-brand success stems from aggressive investment in electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as enhanced digital features that appeal to tech-savvy buyers. The company has been ramping up production capacity and expanding dealership networks to support this growth trajectory. Meanwhile, its joint-venture partnerships, while still significant contributors to overall scale, are undergoing restructuring efforts to adapt to new market realities.

The latest figures highlight a broader trend among Chinese automakers, which are increasingly leaning on homegrown labels to offset weaknesses in traditional collaborations with foreign partners. For GAC, the sustained rise in self-brand output not only bolsters profitability but also strengthens its bargaining power in future partnership negotiations.

As the year progresses, GAC Group remains cautiously optimistic, aiming to build on the strong self-brand performance while addressing challenges in its joint ventures. The company’s ability to balance these dynamics will be critical in achieving its full-year targets, especially as the industry transitions toward cleaner energy and smarter mobility solutions. With exports accelerating and domestic self-brand sales climbing, GAC appears well-positioned to navigate the evolving landscape, although macroeconomic uncertainties and supply chain variables could pose hurdles in the months ahead.