SAIC-GM-Wuling, the Chinese-American joint venture, has made a bold statement about its future in the Southeast Asian electric vehicle (EV) market with the unveiling of its “Light of ASEAN” concept EV and the announcement of its ambitious “One Two Three ASEAN” strategy. 

In detail, these revelations by SAIC-GM-Wuling arrived during the opening of the 21st China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, Guangxi, marking a major milestone in the company’s global expansion plans. 

According to GM, the Light of ASEAN concept EV is a striking embodiment of SAIC-GM-Wuling’s vision for future mobility. Drawing inspiration from fighter jet aesthetics, the vehicle features a unique “cross-star cone” front face and eye-catching gull-wing doors that cover both the front and rear seats. The concept EV’s design isn’t just for show; with an ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.18 Cd, it promises exceptional aerodynamic performance.

For the interior, the concept EV showcases a “zero-gravity dual-mode cabin” that aims to blend the comfort of a family sedan with the excitement of a sports car. High-tech features abound, including hydraulically balanced zero-gravity seats, an ultra-high-definition borderless screen with eye-tracking technology, and an immersive sound system. Notably, the EV comes equipped with an intelligent “follow-me” robot, capable of autonomous navigation, road condition detection, and even solar charging.

However, SAIC-GM-Wuling’s ambitions extend far beyond this futuristic concept. The company’s newly announced “One Two Three ASEAN” strategy outlines a comprehensive plan to establish a new energy vehicle (NEV) industry chain across the ten ASEAN countries by 2030. This strategy is built on three pillars: one ASEAN NEV industry chain, two sustainable development systems, and three major matrices encompassing brand, product, and ecosystem.

Zhou Xing, general manager of SAIC-GM-Wuling Marketing, expressed enthusiasm about the strategy stating, “We look forward to integrating our domestic and ASEAN operations and the China-ASEAN NEV industry chain to promote the growth of NEVs throughout the ASEAN region and ensure a high-quality journey for more ASEAN consumers.”

The joint venture’s confidence in this strategy is bolstered by its notable track record. Through August 2024, SAIC-GM-Wuling had exported 1.07 million vehicles to 104 countries and regions worldwide, including markets in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The company recently celebrated the production of its two millionth new energy vehicle, underscoring its commitment to electrification and intelligent mobility.

To implement this ambitious strategy, SAIC-GM-Wuling plans to transform its product and industry management. The company will adopt a “three-in-one” operation model, led by its China headquarters and Indonesian manufacturing operations, with coordination across the ASEAN region.

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With its innovative design, advanced EV technology, and strategic foresight, SAIC-GM-Wuling is clearly signaling its intention to be a major force in shaping the future of transportation in Southeast Asia and beyond.

As the company moves forward with its plans, the unveiling of the Light of ASEAN concept EV becomes a strong start as all eyes will be on how this ambitious vision translates into real-world products and market success in the coming years.

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