GWM Australia has introduced Andrew Gao, a 15-year veteran of the automaker, as its new managing director from February 1, 2026.
Mr Gao joined GWM in 2011, relocating to Australia in 2014 and serving in senior management roles throughout gross sales, community improvement and product capabilities.
He’ll exchange Charles Zhao who, after greater than 5 years within the position, will transfer to a place with GWM’s European operations, having overseen vital gross sales progress in Australia that noticed GWM turn out to be each a top-ten model and the best-selling Chinese language automaker regionally.
In a file gross sales 12 months, GWM – which in Australia consists of Haval SUVs, GWM utes, Tank off-roaders and the Ora electrical hatch – completed seventh general in 2025 with 52,809 gross sales, representing progress of 23.4 per cent.
Its best-selling mannequin was the GWM Haval Jolion, forward of the Haval H6 – with Haval introduced beneath the GWM umbrella throughout Mr Zhao’s management – and adopted by the Cannon and Tank 300.
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Final 12 months’s end result adopted good points of 17.5 per cent in 2024, when the model recorded 42,782 gross sales to complete tenth general, enhancing on its 2023 efficiency of 36,397 gross sales, a forty five.3 per cent enhance that noticed it place thirteenth.
GWM Australia additionally completed thirteenth in 2022, with 25,042 gross sales – round half the quantity it achieved in 2025.
Globally, China overtook Japan because the world’s largest new-vehicle manufacturing nation in 2025, whereas Chinese language-made autos additionally broke the 200,000-unit gross sales milestone in Australia for the primary time final 12 months.
In 2026, GWM Australia will introduce its premium model Wey to native showrooms as a direct rival to BYD’s Denza and IM Offered by MG Motor.
The Haval Jolion Max is predicted to reach within the second half of the 12 months, when the Cannon Alpha ute and Tank 500 are scheduled to obtain a brand new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.
The corporate has additionally launched into a big native tuning program, hiring former Holden dealing with guru Rob Trubiani to develop suspension packages for Australian roads, which are sometimes considerably rougher than these in China.
“As we enter 2026, we are going to proceed to introduce compelling new merchandise, regionally tuned and optimised particularly for Australian and New Zealand prospects,” mentioned Mr Gao in a press release.
“Our supplier community is central to delivering a best-in-class buying and possession journey, and we are going to proceed to put money into offering them with the instruments, methods and assets required to succeed.
“In parallel, we’re centered on enhancing our aftersales operations via expanded elements warehousing and enhanced technical coaching. Collectively, these initiatives will underpin our long-term dedication to delivering higher autos, superior driving experiences, and excellent worth and repair.”
Mr Zhao’s transfer to Europe coincides with GWM’s push on the continent, together with plans to broaden its manufacturing footprint there, with a acknowledged ambition to construct as much as 300,000 autos yearly at a yet-to-be-confirmed plant in both Spain or Hungary.
GWM is one in all a number of Chinese language automakers trying to mitigate import tariffs in Europe by establishing native manufacturing, alongside BYD, Geely and Chery, the latter of which took over a former Nissan manufacturing plant in Barcelona, Spain in 2024.
Chery can be presently taking a look at an association with Jaguar Land Rover to construct automobiles in the UK.
The management change at GWM Australia comes a day after Nissan introduced Andrew Humberstone would depart the highest job regionally to take up a job in Paris, France. He’ll be succeeded by Steve Milette, who joins from Nissan in Canada.
Moreover, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Restricted (MMAL) introduced earlier this month that Shunichi Kihara will exchange Shaun Westcott as its CEO, whereas at Ford Australia Andrew Birkic departed after greater than 5 years, with former chief monetary officer Fadi Mawal taking up.
Volkswagen Australia has additionally put in an interim managing director in Jeff Mannering – who additionally oversees Audi Australia – following the promotion of Karsten Seifert to a job throughout the firm in Germany.
Lastly, Peter Ciao has left the highest position at MG Motor Australia. Qing Zhang, vp of mum or dad firm SAIC Motor’s Worldwide division, will function SAIC Motor’s native boss with Felix Jiang appointed as senior vp for the Australia New Zealand area.
