Intro: In 1996 General Motors of US (50%) and the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (50%) planned a 1.52 billion US dollar joint venture in the new Pudong industrial area in Shanghai. The first car, a Buick Regal featuring a 3-litre V6 engine coupled with an electronically controlled, automatic transmission rolled out in 1999. The local version of the Pontiac Transport was the second product, introduced in May 2000, under the name Shanghai-GM Buick G18 MPV. In August a 2.5-liter version of the G-sedan has been launched. A four-door compact family sedan based on the design and platform of the Opel Corsa, named the Buick Sail was introduced in October 2000. The Sail Recreational Vehicle, a station wagon, was unveiled in November 2001.
In 2003 Shanghai-GM was busy taking over former Daewoo plants but they also introduced two new types: the Buick Excelle, based on the Daewoo Nubira/Lacetti and the Spark (Daewoo Matiz), produced at SAIC-GM-Wuling. Third manufacturing base of Shanghai-GM is called Shanghai-GM Dongyue. The cars are marketed as either a Buick or Chevrolet
Shanghai-GM became local market leader in 2005 with sales of 325,429 units.
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