In November 2018, GM Authority exclusively reported that General Motors was rebadging the Baojun 530 crossover as the new Chevrolet Captiva, to be marketed in a number of emerging markets worldwide. Now, the company is gearing up to apply the same strategy with the Baojun 510 – transforming it into a new small Chevrolet crossover.
The SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture has just announced the production start of the Baojun 510 wearing a Chevrolet emblem, whose project code is CN180S. The vehicle, which doesn’t have a defined name yet, will become the smallest utility vehicle of the Bow Tie brand and will gradually be exported to some 40 countries in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and other select regions.
The small Baojun 510 joins the 530 as the second crossover that SAIC-GM-Wuling will market outside of China under the Chevrolet brand. In addition, it also represents the third Baojun model rebadged with the Chevy logo if we include the Baojun 630 sedan, which in a few specific markets (such as Egypt) is offered as the Chevrolet Optra.
As with the new Captiva, official photos show that the upcoming small Chevrolet crossover retains exactly the same design as the original Baojun model, although with minimal changes like the three-bar grille and, of course, the inclusion of the respective golden bow ties. Its body is 166 inches long, 68.5 inches wide and 64 inches tall, mounted on a 100.4-inch wheelbase.
Although GM has yet to announce any details about this new Chevrolet crossover, it should be equipped with the only powertrain that the Baojun 510 currently offers, a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 105 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque. The engine can be matched to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
The upcoming small Chevrolet crossover will start being exported from China in June, and its world debut is expected in the coming weeks in South America, probably virtually due to COVID-19. SAIC-GM-Wuling expects to ship about 10,000 units in the first year, as the utility vehicle begins its deployment in various emerging countries.
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Comments
And so it begins.
GM has destroyed the Cadillac brand through sheer, unmitigated incompetence and mismanagement. They’re now a shadow of their former self.
They’ve also turned Buick into a sad repository of GM products built and sold worldwide where there really are no real Buicks anymore; just a disjointed collection of internationally-sourced mediocrity wearing the once proud Buick tri-shield.
Now they’re setting their sights on Chevrolet, another legendary American brand that must suffer the indignity of seeing its badge affixed to a Baojun, an entirely Chinese product. In no time, this “Chevy” or others like it will show up in America and it will merely be the first.
For long-time GM fans, there’s just very little good news anymore.
You are 100% correct… GM is lost and Sr Mgt is completely incompetent. While GM is likely doing this because their US costs are not competitive because of the UAW the company is an empty shell and committed it would appear to a China strategy. EV’s are being mandated by the Communist Chinese Dictatorship so GM is falling in line. As if the CCD will favor GM? Nah, they’ll absorb GM which I think is the plan
I could not agree more. The slow progression to making less and less GM vehicles in the USA for world markets! More and more production in China and Mexico. Its all about profit!!! Good old American Corporate Greed! Dam them for disgracing these once wonderful GM brands with what was once Detroit heritage. Sad…..Very sad…….
that is why trump used chinese steel in his buildings.
sad … very sad!!!
Act your age not your IQ… you ever buy steel for YOUR buildings…. jealous.
Nearly same size as a Trax
Absolutelt DISGUSTING now that WE see what the giant corporation KNEW for a long time. CHINA is ENEMY #1 ! NO MORE GM products for this family, ever !
China is GM’s largest market, the largest market for nearly each and every auto maker on this planet.
Automibile sales in China: 27 million/year, NA 17 million.
Is it not great to see how hundreds of millions of human beings rise out if poverty?
I remember when all Chevrolets, in fact all GMs were proudly build in America, I dream those days will return soon, before it is too late.
It’s a world economy and if GM wants to stay price competitive in the largest markets with their rivals they can’t build everything in the US. If they do they will continue to be priced out of markets reduce in size then fail to even compete in the US itself with Rivals based outside the states.
That is already happening here in the US. The UAW keeps GM, Ford and FCA non competitive. Either that has to end or they’ll eventually file for bankruptcy again, or move all union jobs out. OR they have to make premium vehicles people will pay more for to justify their higher costs. The cost disadvantage and legacy costs brought the previous bankruptcy’s
If you want to work for 8 USD/hr, go for it. You will be considered a charity.
But don’t try to force others to work for a hunger wage like a slave.
Cost of living in China is vastly different than it is in the states. Although the Chinese workers may get paid less they are able to save more and have better purchasing power thanks to the overall lower costs of housing and other utilities.
“Yes, the salary of Chinese workers can be in parity (somewhat rare) to about a quarter of the US salary. However, the cost of living, especially outside of the Tier 1 big cities are much more affordable. A family can live pretty well with a $1500 US monthly salary, with excess money saved (savings is a typical Chinese virtue) or enjoy leisure. It is why China has the highest auto sales volume and the biggest luxury goods market. There is a reason why you are seeing relatively few Chinese graduates staying in the US compared to say Indian students. Life is good and the people are happy.”
Edit: and I somehow replied to the wrong post….
but then gm sat on their ass while the competition improved and surpassed them.
Your age must be recorded in the Guiness book of records as the longest living human being, if you csn really remenber the early 1920ies from your own living experience.
GM started producing in Europe in 1926.
People like their merchandise cheap, that is why most of the crap we buy is from China. This vehicle and GM are just following that trend.
This is a trend that is not unique to General Motors, and has everything to do with spineless politicians giving China preferential trade status 20 years ago. I think its incredibly dangerous to become complacent with Communist China’s economic policies. They cheat, steal, and subsidize to benefit their domestic industry exclusively. This means U.S. exports to China are taxed an exorbitant amount while China gets to export to the world tax-free. American investors in China have to fork over precious intellectual property developed by Americans. Why did Elon Musk build a factory there? Why is GM exporting the horrible Buick Envision to the USA?
Lol, crocodile tears, you know Chevies are / was built in Russia, South Africa, South America, Thailand, India, Europe, etc for decades… But China for a cheap Chevy that can’t and won’t see the shores here it’s “outrage”, “M’erica 1st”, lol.
This is not the first GM car exported from China to the southern pard of America.
Many years ago there was the small car, the very good looking Daewoo Matiz, which was rebadhed as the first post war Buick sold in China (can’t remember the model name), later the Chevrolet Lechi, and in the final station the Baojun Lechi.
This was also, if my memory doesnt cheat me, the first Chevrolet Spark, sold as such in Latin America countries on the Pacific. Or its successor.
BTW: if anyone of the MAGA types here sees a way to produce a small car for Chile, Peru or Ecuador in the USA, then go for it! Borrow some money and open your factory! You would revolutionize the world automobile industry more than Elon Musk did.
Just Announced that this vehicle will use the Chevrolet Groove nameplate when it goes on sale. With the introduction of the Groove name, this marks the final one of the three Chevrolet Concepts from 2007. (Beat, Trax & Groove)
Only if the Chinese guy wanted to be laugh at by his friends if he drives a Baojun. Maybe he’s a farmer and doesn’t care. They drive brand names. They wear designer clothes. It’s all about image and status. Funny that GM still doesn’t understand Asian culture after years of being overthere.
You mean pretentious? Culturally constrained to basing personal choices on impressing others? Lacking empowerment? Maybe GM shouldn’t try too hard to understand if their aim is building better, possibly revolutionary automobiles (the one featured certainly is not but appears well suited to a target audience that’s afraid to make any waves).