SAIC Motor Revs Up "Glocal 3.0" Strategy: Think Global, Act Local
Apr 23, 2025
[Shanghai, April 23, 2025] — At the unveiling of the 2025 Shanghai International Auto Show today, SAIC Motor officially released its overseas strategy 3.0- "Glocal Strategy". Over the next three years, leveraging its profound technological expertise in electrification, intelligent connectivity, and vehicle networking, SAIC Motor will develop 17 all-new overseas models covering SUVs, sedans, MPVs, and pickup trucks. Vehicles equipped with the next-generation HEV hybrid powertrain system will target mainstream global market segments, while disruptive technologies such as solid-state batteries will enter practical application.
The earliest to set sail
As the earliest pioneer in China’s automotive globalization, SAIC Motor has consistently defined industry benchmarks. In 2001, SAIC Motor achieved its first passenger vehicle export, marking the launch of its Overseas Strategy 1.0. By 2013, the establishment of SAIC Motor’s Thailand manufacturing plant heralded Overseas Strategy 2.0, transitioning to localized operations. SAIC Motor stands as China’s largest automotive exporter, with cumulative overseas deliveries exceeding 5.5 million units by the end of 2024. For eight consecutive years, SAIC Motor has led China’s automotive export rankings, achieving three straight years of overseas annual sales surpassing 1 million units. Notably, sales in developed European markets now account for 25% of its overseas volume.
The Most Comprehensive Global Footprint
As China’s sole automaker with a systematic, strategic, and fully integrated global approach, SAIC Motor has built an end-to-end automotive industrial chain spanning R&D, marketing and sales, logistics, components, manufacturing, financing, and pre-owned vehicle services. Its products and services now reach over 100 countries and regions. Today, SAIC Motor’s global footprint includes:
100+ overseas parts and components production bases
20+ regional sales and service hubs
3,000+ overseas dealership touchpoints
3 global R&D and innovation centers (London, Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv)
4 manufacturing bases (Thailand, Indonesia, India, Pakistan)
Dedicated mobility and financial subsidiaries
China’s largest and world-leading self-operated vehicle logistics fleet
Today, SAIC Motor unveils its Overseas Strategy 3.0—the Glocal Strategy (“Global + Local”), a blueprint to deepen localized ecosystem development while elevating SAIC Motor into a globally recognized automotive brand.
Building a Localized Ecosystem
From Scale to Value Creation, From Products to Standards Output. By segmenting global markets into strategic regions, SAIC Motor will leverage its first-mover advantages in intelligent and electrified technologies to deliver personalized, smart product solutions tailored to regional needs, embodying the principle of “global vision, local action.”
Overseas intelligent cabins will upgrade their software and hardware while simultaneously upgrading their application ecosystem. The entertainment ecosystem will adopt country difference strategy. Overseas intelligent driving, based on SAIC Motor's rich intelligent technology reserves and fully compliant with local regulatory frameworks, accelerates the implementation of L2 level city intelligent assisted driving and L2 level high-speed intelligent assisted driving functions. The overseas product spectrum has achieved a wide selection of models across multiple categories including ICE, HEV, PHEV, and BEV.
The Europe and UK is the foundation of SAIC's globalization strategy, with a European design center already established, a European engineering center under construction, and exploration of localization solutions in Europe. In the Southeast Asian market, SAIC Motor will deepen its localization cooperation and establish KD factories; In Latin America, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand markets, SAIC Motor will continuously deepen localization, optimize product offerings and customer engagement; In the African market, anchored by strategic hubs in Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, SAIC Motor will drive regional synergies through phased market penetration.
Reinventing MG into a Global Icon
MG, the storied British marque revitalized under SAIC Motor’s visionary stewardship, continues to redefine its legacy as a dynamic global brand. Since acquiring the Rover 75 platform in 2004 and the MG brand in 2007, SAIC Motor has reengineered MG’s technical architecture and market positioning, transforming the century-young icon into a symbol of cutting-edge mobility. To date, MG has introduced over 10 models spanning sedans and SUVs, achieving cumulative global sales exceeding 5 million units and ranking among the Top 10 in over 20 countries.
Following its centennial celebration in 2024, MG unveiled a bold rebranding strategy under the ethos “in China for Globe”, positioning itself as the “dream car for the young-hearted consumers”. With the tagline “YOUNG FOREVER: Intelligence Meets Style”.
Led by Joseph Kaban, renowned automotive design master, MG debuts its next-generation design language with the MG Cyberster Special Edition and the brand’s first “boxy” concept CyberX. In collaboration with OPPO, MG is announced to launch the next-gen MG4 EV soon, providing master experience in the field of space, sun protection, intelligent driving, endurance, and safety. “Small size delivers big impact,” the new MG4 EV will redefine compact electric excellence.
Stay tuned for more.