Shanghai (Gasgoo)-
On January 13, 2025, SAIC General Motors (SAIC-GM), the joint venture between SAIC Motor and General Motors, hosted a media briefing to outline its strategic priorities for the new year.
The company announced plans to advance its presence in the fields of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and intelligent technologies by introducing a next-generation integrated vehicle architecture, upgrading its Ultium platform to version 2.0, and accelerating the rollout of advanced intelligent driving solutions in 2025.
Buick GL8 ES; photo credit: SAIC-GM's Buick
Launching next-generation integrated vehicle architecture
SAIC-GM will launch a next-generation integrated vehicle architecture designed specifically for the Chinese market. This new framework combines the latest advancements in body structure, chassis, powertrains, and electronic systems, supporting various vehicle types such as sedans, SUVs, and MPVs. Compatible with multiple powertrains—including BEV (battery electric vehicle), PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), and REEV (range-extended electric vehicle)-related systems—the architecture offers enhanced scalability, diverse power options, and smarter driving experiences, representing a new milestone in SAIC-GM's technical innovation.
Upgrading Ultium platform
The upgraded Ultium platform will evolve from supporting solely electric powertrains to a multi-energy system, accommodating BEV, PHEV, and REEV-related systems and technologies to meet diversified consumer demands. The BEV-dedicated system will support an all-domain 900V-ready high-voltage architecture and integrate 6C ultra-fast charging lithium iron phosphate batteries, enabling over 350 kilometers of range replenishment in just 10-minute charging. This significantly enhances travel efficiency for users.
Introducing new-generation intelligent driving platform
In the realm of intelligent technology, SAIC-GM will debut a new-generation intelligent driving platform featuring upgraded chips and sensors. Equipped with an end-to-end intelligent driving model, the platform will offer advanced capabilities such as city and highway navigation, dynamic parking, and memory parking, targeting top-tier market performance.
Mr. Lu Xiao, general manager with SAIC-GM revealed that the platform is also designed to accommodate Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities, which could be mass-produced once regulatory conditions permit.
Aggressive NEV rollout plans
From 2025 to 2027, SAIC-GM plans to launch 12 new NEV models, spanning BEV-, PHEV-, and REEV-related powertrains.
Mr. Lu said all new model definitions and digital features will be fully led by SAIC-GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, ensuring faster iterations tailored to Chinese consumers' preferences.
Despite challenges in the first half of 2024, SAIC-GM rebounded in the third quarter through product upgrades and flexible marketing strategies. By December, the company achieved a monthly retail sales record of 73,058 vehicles, marking six consecutive months of growth. Its annual NEV sales reached 104,905 units, a 56% year-on-year surge.
