GM to Flood China with 60 Models by 2016

Talk about a plan to take over a market... Judging by the determination with which American manufacturer GM announced its new five year plan for China on Monday, one would say that the car maker is planning not only to become the leader of the local market, but to replace every single car on China's roads with a GM-badged one.

In the days prior to the opening of the Shanghai Auto Show, GM's China president Kevin Wale made an announcement that will send the car maker's competitors running for cover: 60 new or upgraded GM models will be sent, more or less ready for the task at hand, on China's roads. Of them, nearly 30 will be models and variants of existing models from the Chevrolet and Buick lines. But let's take them one at a time.

Buick, one of China's favorite badges, will bring to the market 12 new and upgraded products, in both existing and new body styles. Chevrolet, the flagship brand in the GM pool, will add 15 new models and upgrades in all shapes, sizes, classes and, why not, colors.

“Over the last 15 years, GM has focused on growing all areas of our business in China – from our brands to our product lineup to new business opportunities – both on our own and with our partners. We have recorded many achievements, but we still have a lot more to achieve,” said Wale.

“Successful new models like the Chevrolet New Sail and new Buick GL8, and the upcoming Baojun 630, have all been developed in. Our growing product development capability will enable us to continue moving quickly to meet the unique needs of the market and our customers nationwide."