GAC Expands Vehicle Sales Network Through Sinopec Gas Station Partnership in China

China's automotive retail landscape is witnessing a new sales model as GAC and Sinopec collaborate to integrate vehicle retailing with energy services. The initiative represents the first attempt by both companies to directly sell vehicles through fuel station locations. The strategy is designed to strengthen customer access in county-level and less-developed markets while creating a more comprehensive service ecosystem that combines vehicle sales, maintenance, and energy services under one roof. Through this approach, the companies aim to improve convenience for consumers while expanding their market presence in a highly competitive automotive environment.

China's First Integrated Energy and Auto Service Station Opens

The partnership has resulted in the opening of China's first integrated "energy and auto" service station in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province. The facility brings together vehicle display areas, purchasing services, maintenance support, and refueling capabilities within a single location. By utilizing Sinopec's extensive nationwide gas station network and established customer traffic, GAC expects to reduce customer acquisition costs and improve service accessibility in regions where automotive retail infrastructure remains limited. The project is intended to serve as a model that can be replicated and expanded across additional county-level markets in the future.

Strategic Objectives Behind the Collaboration

The new venture aligns with the broader strategic priorities of both organizations. For GAC, the partnership provides an alternative sales channel capable of supporting vehicle demand growth amid intense competition in China's automotive sector. For Sinopec, the initiative reflects its transformation strategy as it seeks to evolve from a traditional fuel supplier into a broader energy service provider suited to the electric vehicle era. The companies intend to evaluate the operational performance of the pilot station and determine how the model can be scaled efficiently across additional locations.

Key Objectives of the GAC-Sinopec Initiative

• Expand automotive services into county-level markets.
• Leverage existing fuel station traffic for vehicle sales.
• Reduce customer acquisition and service delivery costs.
• Create a scalable integrated energy and mobility service model.
• Support long-term growth in the EV transition period.

Major Companies Involved in Recent Energy and Mobility Partnerships

GAC Reports Strong Vehicle Sales Growth in May

Alongside the announcement of the new retail initiative, GAC reported encouraging sales results for May. Total vehicle deliveries reached 127,330 units, representing an 8.18% increase compared with the same period last year. Growth was supported primarily by strong demand for new energy vehicles and continued expansion in overseas markets. These segments have become key contributors to the company's growth strategy as it seeks to strengthen its competitive position both domestically and internationally.

New energy vehicle performance was particularly notable. GAC's NEV sales climbed 71.64% year-on-year to 46,056 units during May. Overseas expansion also delivered impressive results, with exports of the company's proprietary brands surging 140% from the previous year to 28,386 units. Several markets across the Asia-Pacific region and the Americas recorded triple-digit retail sales growth, highlighting increasing acceptance of the company's products beyond its home market.

GAC Aion Continues Rapid Expansion

GAC's dedicated new energy vehicle brand, GAC Aion, remained one of the strongest contributors to the group's overall performance. During May, the brand delivered 31,946 vehicles, representing a year-on-year increase of 74.76%. The sustained momentum reflects growing consumer demand for electrified mobility solutions and reinforces GAC Aion's position within China's rapidly expanding NEV sector.

Aistaland GT7 Generates Strong Early Market Response

The company is also advancing its smart mobility portfolio through the Aistaland brand, a joint initiative involving GAC and Huawei. The first model under the brand, the GT7, entered the pre-sales phase in late May with pricing ranging from 219,900 yuan to 309,900 yuan. Equipped with Huawei's advanced intelligent driving technology, the vehicle quickly attracted market attention and generated substantial customer interest shortly after launch.

According to the company, pre-orders for the GT7 exceeded 10,000 units within five hours of opening. To support expected demand, the experience and service network associated with the model is being expanded rapidly. Around 300 stores across 70 cities are scheduled to become fully operational by the end of June, strengthening the customer support ecosystem and helping accelerate market penetration for the new smart vehicle offering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the GAC and Sinopec partnership?
The partnership aims to combine automotive retail services with energy infrastructure through integrated service stations. GAC seeks to expand vehicle sales and customer reach in underserved markets, while Sinopec is advancing its transformation into a broader energy service provider. The model brings vehicle viewing, purchasing, maintenance, and refueling together at one location, creating a more convenient customer experience and establishing a framework that could be replicated across additional county-level regions throughout China.

How did GAC perform in May 2026?
GAC recorded strong growth in May, supported by rising demand for new energy vehicles and overseas expansion. Total vehicle sales reached 127,330 units, increasing 8.18% year-on-year. NEV deliveries surged 71.64% to 46,056 units, while exports of proprietary brands climbed 140% to 28,386 units. The company's GAC Aion brand also delivered strong results with sales increasing 74.76%, demonstrating sustained momentum across several important business segments and international markets.

What makes the Aistaland GT7 significant?
The Aistaland GT7 is the first model introduced under the jointly developed Aistaland brand created by GAC and Huawei. The vehicle incorporates Huawei's advanced smart driving technology and has attracted considerable market interest. Within five hours of pre-sales opening, orders surpassed 10,000 units. Supported by an expanding network of 300 stores across 70 cities, the GT7 represents an important step in GAC's strategy to strengthen its position in intelligent and connected mobility solutions.