SAIC Motor Corp., Ltd. (formerly Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Anting, Shanghai. Founded in 1955, it is currently the largest of the “Big Four” state-owned car manufacturers of China, namely: SAIC Motor, FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, and Changan Automobile, with car sales of 5.37 million, 3.50 million, 3.28 million and 2.30 million in 2021 respectively.
The company produces and sells vehicles under its own branding, such as Feifan, IM, Maxus, MG, Roewe, Baojun (under SGMW), Wuling (under SGMW), as well as under foreign-branded joint ventures such as SAIC-Volkswagen (Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi) and SAIC-General Motors (Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac). In 2021, domestic-branded cars took 52% of sales. It also produces electric vehicles under some of the previously listed brandings, including dedicated EV brands such as Feifan and IM.
It is currently a Fortune Global 100 company, ranked 60 on the list. Including SGMW, it is also the third largest plug-in electric vehicle (BEV and PHEV) company and second largest BEV company in the world, with 10.5% and 13% global market share respectively in 2021, selling under brand names such as Wuling, Baojun, Maxus, MG, Roewe and Feifan.
SAIC traces its origins to the early years of the Chinese automobile industry in the 1940s, and SAIC was one of the few carmakers in Mao’s China, making the Shanghai SH760.[9] Currently, it participates in the oldest surviving sino-foreign car making joint venture, with Volkswagen, and in addition has had a joint venture with General Motors since 1998. SAIC products sell under a variety of brand names, including those of its joint venture partners. Two notable brands owned by SAIC itself are MG, a historic British car marque, and Roewe.
HISTORY
SAIC Motor was founded in 1955 as Shanghai Internal Combustion Engine Spare Parts Manufacture Corporation.
In 1984, Saic Motor signed a joint venture with Volkswagen to form the Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co Ltd (1985).
In 1995, United Automotive Electronic Systems Co., Ltd (UAES), was established in a joint venture with Bosch.
In September 1995, the company changed its name to Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.
In 1997, Saic Motor and General Motors signed the joint venture of Shanghai General Motors Co Ltd.
In 2000, Shanghai Volkswagen Sales Co. Ltd, was established.
In 2002, Saic Motor renewed its contract with Volkswagen and extended the term of cooperation for another 20 years.
In 2011, the company changed its name to SAIC Motor Corporation Limited.
SAIC MOTOR’S COMPANIES
- SAIC Passenger Vehicle Branch;
- SAIC Maxus;
- IM MOTORS;
- Rising Auto;
- SAIC Volkswagen;
- SAIC General Motors;
- SAIC-GM-Wuling;
- NAVECO;
- SAIC-IVECO Hongyan;
- Sunwin.
BRANDS
- Roewe;
- MG;
- Volkswagen;
- Skoda;
- Cadillac;
- Buick;
- Chevrolet;
- Bao Jun;
- Maxus;
- Sunwin;
- Hong Yan;
- IVECO;
- Yue Jin;
- Wu ling.
With more than 200,000 employees, SAIC Motor Corp., Ltd. is considered one of the largest car manufacturers in China. According to Forbes, it is considered one of the Largest Public Companies in the World.
*Information from Forbes.com, Wikipedia.org, and www.saicmotor.com.
**Video published on YouTube by “The Wheel Network“
