While Rivals Lose Ground, GM Breaks Sales Records in China Thanks to Buick, Cadillac, and Wuling EVs

While many Western carmakers are struggling to stay competitive in China, General Motors is moving in the opposite direction — showing impressive stability and even growth. In the third quarter, GM’s deliveries in the country rose by nearly 10% year over year, reaching around 470,000 vehicles.

Buick was the star performer. Demand for the Envision SUV, LaCrosse sedan, and GL8 minivan surged so sharply that overall Buick sales jumped more than 54%. The Envision and LaCrosse saw record-breaking momentum, with sales tripling or even quadrupling compared to last year. The refreshed GL8 also enjoyed strong attention from buyers.

Buick has no plans to slow down. The brand has already announced a full transition toward alternative powertrains. Going forward, all new Buick models will be either fully electric, plug-in hybrid, or extended-range hybrid vehicles. This shift could also influence the U.S. market — after all, the Envision sold in America is built in China.

Cadillac is also on the rise. Thanks to the updated XT5, the brand’s sales in China grew 11% in the third quarter, with demand for the crossover nearly doubling. Another major success story was the compact Wuling Hong Guang EV, which sold an impressive 117,000 units — most of them the new five-door version.

At a time when many foreign automakers are losing ground in China, GM has managed not only to maintain its market share but to expand it, focusing on local consumer preferences and the rapid electrification of its lineup.