GM internal combustion engine or ICE vehicles have gained a new avenue into the European market with the launch of AEC Specialty Vehicles on July 4th, 2023.
The company, which is an AEC Group subsidiary, says it will import a “niche volume” of specific high-demand GM ICE vehicles to Europe, along with the parts and accessories needed to service them.
AEC Specialty Vehicles, also known as AECSV, will begin by importing limited quantities of the GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado, Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac XT6, and Cadillac Escalade to European markets. The first GM vehicles will arrive at European dealerships sometime this month, in July 2023.
Many of the vehicles that will be imported, at least in the initial group, will be drawn from the premium or range-topping trim levels for the specific models involved. For example, AECSV will bring only vehicles from the High Country trim level for the Chevy Silverado 1500, Chevy Tahoe, and Chevy Suburban to European dealerships.
AECSV says it will add more GM nameplates to its lineup in the European market later in 2023. AEC Group CEO Andrew Pilsworth remarks that AECSV “combines flexibility with expertise and experience, access to a strong network and state-of-the-art facilities.”
AECSV is a newly-minted enterprise with a 2023 founding date, based out of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The company is a GM vehicle importer and distributor, but is not otherwise affiliated with The General. The vehicles will be sold through a variety of dealerships, which will also provide service and repair.
GM does not currently have a strong presence in Europe, with its previous sale of the Vauxhall and Opel brands further reducing its interaction with the market. However, The General has its sights set on launching its EV portfolio in Europe, starting with bringing its electric vehicles to the Nordic countries in autumn 2023.
The EVs likely to be included in GM’s upcoming return to Europe include the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevy Equinox EV, and Chevy Blazer EV, as well as the new Buick Electra E5 crossover from China. CEO Mary Barra made a statement indicating GM has no interest in expanding its ICE model portfolio in Europe, noting “we are looking at the growth opportunity that we have now, because we can reenter Europe as an all-EV player.”
Meanwhile, for its part, AECSV appears to have no interest in selling GM electric vehicles in Europe. While this could change, it is seemingly limiting itself to distributing GM’s ICE vehicles overseas at the current time.
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