GM To Reorganize ‘The Durant Guild’ Amid Trade Uncertainty

General Motors has just officially announced that it will reorganize its premium import platform, The Durant Guild, in China amid trade uncertainty between the United States and the Asian country.

The automaker responded to growing rumors about the dissolution of its premium import arm, The Durant Guild, announcing it will reorganize the lifestyle platform that was initially announced in 2022. The company’s most recent business venture in China was severely impacted by the trade war between the United States and China over the new administration’s tariff policy.

In a brief statement, GM China said it will reorganize The Durant Guild business to address the changing economic situation that has impacted the investment and ambitious expansion plans the platform began implementing in recent months. The tariff war and trade uncertainty between the two countries abruptly halted orders and is preventing the import of iconic vehicles from the United States to China.

“The Durant Guild is GM’s high-end imported car platform for introducing iconic products. Imported car sales account for less than one thousandth of GM’s total sales in China,” said GM China in a statement. “Due to significant changes in the economic situation, the company decided to reorganize The Durant Guild’s import business and optimize GM’s operations in China accordingly,” the company added.

While the company hasn’t revealed specific details about The Durant Guild’s reorganization, Chinese media reports claim that the staff of GM’s business arm was suddenly laid off, affecting around 200 employees, covering almost its entire operations department. As such, the automaker has reportedly begun implementing legal layoff protocols by paying workers severance pay based on their careers.

Despite having completely halted orders for new Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon Denali that were just launched earlier this year, several sources claim that The Durant Guild will deliver all existing units while supplies last and is committed to ensuring after-sales service for customers who purchased these full-size SUVs. The firm is expected to close most of its newly opened stores and cancel future openings.