General Motors halts exports of American-made vehicles to China

General Motors (GM) has ceased exporting a small number of American-made vehicles to China, primarily due to tariffs imposed during the trade tensions between the US and China under President Trump.

The decision specifically impacts the Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle (SUV), which GM had started exporting to China last year, as well as other high-end models that were planned for export, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

A spokesperson for the automaker confirmed that the company will no longer send Tahoes to China, nor proceed with exporting other premium models as originally planned. The initiative, known as the Durant Guild, was named after GM founder Billy Durant and was designed to promote the export of American-made vehicles. However, Durant Guild exports accounted for less than 0.1 per cent of the total vehicles GM sells in China.

In the first quarter of this year, GM reported selling 443,000 vehicles in China, where the company operates joint ventures with local manufacturers to produce the majority of its models. Despite the halt in exports, GM emphasized its ongoing commitment to the Chinese market.

“Due to significant changes to economic conditions, we have decided to restructure the Durant Guild and correspondingly optimize GM China’s operations,” the company said in a statement. “GM is committed to continued development in the China market and driving success of the joint ventures with our partners. To keep the business sustainable, we must stay focused on strong execution, business agility and customer choice.”

While the decision reflects the shifting economic landscape and the impact of trade policies, GM remains determined to maintain its presence and growth in China through its joint ventures.

By Vafa Guliyeva