SAIC Motor Corp., Ltd. (formerly Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Anting, Shanghai. Founded in 1955,[4] it is currently the largest of the "Big Four" state-owned car manufacturers of China ahead of FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, and Changan Automobile, with sales of 5.02 million vehicles in 2023.
The company traces its origins to the early years of the Chinese automobile industry in the 1940s, and SAIC was one of the few carmakers in Maoist China, making the Shanghai SH760.[5] Currently, it participates in the oldest surviving sino-foreign automotive joint venture with Volkswagen (SAIC-Volkswagen) since 1984, and in addition operates a joint venture with General Motors (SAIC-GM) since 1998. It also produces and sells passenger vehicles under its own branding, such as IM Motors, Roewe, MG, Rising Auto and Maxus/LDV. It is also the largest shareholder of SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), a joint venture selling Wuling and Baojun branded vehicles. In 2021, SAIC self-owned brands contributes 52% of SAIC's sales.[6]
The company ranked 84th on the Fortune Global 500 list in 2023. Including SGMW, it was also the third-largest plug-in electric vehicle (battery electric and plug-in hybrid) company and second-largest battery electric vehicle manufacturer in the world, with 10.5% and 13% global market share respectively in 2021.[7]
History
Origins to 2000
Although it has a long history, originating from an automobile assembly factory established in Shanghai sometime around World War II, SAIC, unlike domestic rivals FAW Group and Dongfeng Motors, has only recently attained a position of prominence in the Chinese vehicle industry.[8] A small company in the 1970s,[9] SAIC owes its rise to more than an increase in domestic demand for passenger vehicles. A cooperative agreement made with Volkswagen in 1984[10] followed by the formal establishment of Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co. Ltd. in March 1985 allowed it to produce competitive cars with foreign technology. Early success at SAIC were a result of guidance provided by local Shanghai authorities; at one time SAIC was simply an extension of the Shanghai Municipal government. For these two reasons and more, SAIC grew swiftly. In the 11 years leading to 1996, annual production capacity increased ten-fold to 300,000 units/year, and the company established itself as one of the leading Chinese automakers.[11]
Corporate Leadership
Brands
SAIC sells vehicles under a variety of brands. Brands that are considered "self-owned" by SAIC include IM, Maxus, MG, Roewe, Baojun, Wuling, Hongyan, and Sunwin.[54]
IM
IM is a luxury electric vehicle brand launched by SAIC on 13 January 2021. Known as "Zhiji Motor" in Chinese, the brand was jointly developed in partnership with Shanghai's Pudong New Area government and Alibaba
Joint ventures
SAIC has joint ventures with foreign automakers like General Motors and Volkswagen to produce and sell their vehicles in China. Additionally, SAIC also has several joint venture operations outside China.
SAIC Volkswagen Automotive
SAIC Volkswagen (SAIC-VW), previously Shanghai Volkswagen, is a joint venture between SAIC and German manufacturer Volkswagen Group. Founded in 1984 as one of the early joint venture manufacturers in China, the company manufactures and sells Volkswagen, AUDI and Audi vehicles in China.
SAIC General Motors
SAIC General Motors (SAIC-GM), previously Shanghai GM, is a joint venture between SAIC and American manufacturer General Motors. Founded in 1997, it manufactures and sells Buick,
Sales
Overseas markets
UK
On 13 April 2011, vehicle assembly resumed at the MG Motor UK Longbridge plant as the first MG 6 to be produced in the United Kingdom came off the production line,[70] but ended in 2016 when SAIC moved production to China.[71] It retains a technical subsidiary SAIC Motor UK on site.
Philippines
On 19 July 2023, SAIC's Philippines subsidiary SAIC Motor Philippines, Inc. has appointed the new distributor and importer of MG vehicles and services in the country with launch of the all-new 2024 MG4 EV and MG Marvel R for the local market by October 2023. Aside from importation, distribution, and aftersales operations, SMP’s functions also include the management of MG’s dealership network in the Philippines. This is currently composed of 42 authorized dealer locations and the addition of four more dealerships before the close of 2023, and a goal to have 60 MG dealerships running by 2025.[72]
Facilities
SAIC has numerous production facilities in China, including sites in: Chongqing, Liuzhou, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Yantai.[77] It also had an assembly plant in the United Kingdom, the Longbridge plant.[78] It also has a plant in Chonburi, Thailand, Cikarang, Indonesia, and Halol, India.
Research and development
SAIC operated a large research and development centre in the United Kingdom, the SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre, which as of 2012 employed around 275 engineers and 25 designers.[79] The UK Technical Centre was the principal site worldwide for the development of MG cars,[80]
See also
- Automobile manufacturers and brands of China
- List of automobile manufacturers of China
- Automotive industry in China
External links
References
- SAIC MOTOR CORPORATION LIMITED Annual Report 2022^
- SAIC MOTOR CORPORATION LIMITED Annual Report 2022 retrieved 2024-04-06^
- Sales Volume SAIC Motor, retrieved 2024-04-06