GAC Group has emphasized its commitment to quality over speed in vehicle development, stating a firm stance against producing “quick cars.” The company’s focus is on investing in meticulous development processes, refusing to rush production timelines or cut corners on testing, ensuring every vehicle can withstand the test of time.
Dedication to Rigorous Testing
The automotive giant adheres to a strict development cycle, mandating “two winters and one summer” for validation. Furthermore, GAC Group employs extreme testing standards that far exceed industry norms, referred to as “five highs, one mountain, one dust” (五高一山一尘). This comprehensive approach includes not only high-cold, high-temperature, and high-altitude tests but also expands to cover high-humidity, high-corrosion environments, complex mountain roads, and sandy conditions. These tests simulate a wide range of real-world scenarios, from -40℃ extreme cold and 60℃ extreme heat to altitudes above 4,000 meters, coastal high-salt fog, rugged mountain terrain, and desert sandstorms.
An Example of Commitment: The Trumpchi E9
As a prime example of this philosophy, the development of the Trumpchi E9 is highlighted. The company invested heavily in its validation process, using 685 physical vehicles for road testing and accumulating millions of kilometers in verification data. The development cycle spanned three years, fulfilling the “two winters and two summers” validation period. Significantly, the Trumpchi E9 was among the first passenger vehicles to complete equivalent durability testing of 500,000 kilometers, a distance comparable to circling the equator 12.5 times.
Strong Sales Performance
This dedication to quality is seemingly resonating with consumers, as GAC Group announced robust sales figures. From January to August 2026, the company achieved cumulative sales exceeding 1 million vehicles, reaching 1,012,600 units. The company’s own brands have seen remarkable growth, with cumulative sales surpassing 461,500 units in the same period, marking a 31.44% year-on-year increase. This marks the sixth consecutive month of double-digit growth for GAC’s independent brands. In August alone, GAC Group sold 61,378 vehicles, a 20.43% increase compared to the previous year, with its own brands accounting for an ever-growing share of 48.49% of total sales.
Industry-Wide Focus on Quality
This commitment from GAC Group aligns with broader industry trends and governmental initiatives. As previously reported, four ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, have announced the establishment of a chief quality officer system for automotive enterprises. This move aims to strengthen the oversight of new product entry and technical review processes, ensuring a higher baseline of quality across the automotive sector.
