SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) has posted its latest sales figures, reporting 142,757 global deliveries in October, according to Sina Auto. The joint venture between SAIC, General Motors and Guangxi-based Wuling said new-energy vehicles (NEVs) accounted for 99,958 of those sales, pushing the NEV share of its monthly volume above 70% for the first time.
The result extends a strong run for the company, which sells the Hongguang Mini EV and a growing line-up of battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models under the Wuling and Baojun brands. SGMW did not break down October sales by model or by market, but said cumulative overseas deliveries for the first ten months of the year surpassed 320,000 units (sets), a sign that its push into export markets is accelerating alongside its domestic electrification drive.
Electrification and export momentum
The October figures underline how quickly SGMW's product mix has shifted toward electrified models. With NEVs now representing more than seven in ten vehicles sold, the company has moved ahead of many domestic rivals in the share of its volume that is battery-powered or plug-in hybrid, even as overall sales remain heavily weighted toward affordable small cars.
SGMW has been one of China's most aggressive exporters of budget EVs, shipping models such as the Wuling Air EV to Southeast Asia, Latin America and other emerging markets. The company said the first-ten-month overseas tally of more than 320,000 units (sets) reflects "a new level" for both its electrification transition and its global expansion strategy, without giving a year-on-year comparison.
Analysts note that SGMW's export numbers include complete vehicles as well as knockdown kits, which are shipped as parts and assembled locally - a common practice for Chinese automakers seeking to avoid import duties and build local supply chains. The company has also been expanding its presence in markets such as Indonesia, where it operates a plant producing the Air EV.
Context and outlook
The October performance comes as China's broader NEV market continues to grow, supported by government purchase incentives and a wave of new model launches. SGMW's strength lies in the low-price segment, where it competes with BYD and Geely's budget brands, and its ability to sustain high volumes while shifting to electric powertrains will be closely watched.
Sina Auto noted that the company's sales data was released without detailed model-level disclosures, a common practice for monthly updates. SGMW has not yet announced November targets, but the October result suggests it is on track to post another record year for both domestic NEV sales and overseas deliveries.
For readers tracking China's EV industry, the key takeaway is the speed of SGMW's transition: a brand long associated with cheap petrol minivans and microcars now sells more electric and plug-in vehicles than conventional cars, and is increasingly relying on overseas markets to absorb that output.
