GAC Group Appoints New General Manager in Leadership Reshuffle
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Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. (GAC) has appointed Xia Xianqing as its new general manager, completing a wider management reshuffle at the state-owned automaker that separates the top executive role from the chairman’s position.
The appointment, announced by the Shanghai- and Hong Kong-listed company on the evening of Nov. 16, means chairman Feng Xingya is no longer concurrently serving as general manager. Xia, born in 1973, was promoted from deputy general manager.
Xia had already taken on a leading role in high-profile initiatives. In November 2024, he signed a deal with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. to co-develop a new independent auto brand, and now serves as legal representative of the joint venture, Huawang Automobile. Earlier in 2025, Xia replaced Feng as the legal representative for GAC’s two proprietary brands, GAC Motor and GAC Aion, after Feng became chairman in February, succeeding the retiring Zeng Qinghong.
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- GAC appointed Xia Xianqing as general manager, separating the roles of chairman (Feng Xingya) and GM for the first time.
- The appointments, finalized in March 2025, follow a year-long leadership transition and professional manager selection process.
- The reshuffle included internal promotions and hiring external talent, such as Chen Jiacai, to enhance overseas expansion.
- Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.
- Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. (GAC) is a state-owned automaker that has recently undergone a significant management reshuffle. Xia Xianqing has been appointed as the new general manager, separating the role from the chairman's position. The company aims to navigate the competitive auto market and accelerate overseas expansion with a new team of professional managers.
- Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
- In November 2024, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. signed a deal with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. to co-develop a new independent auto brand. They formed a joint venture called Huawang Automobile.
- Huawang Automobile
- Huawang Automobile is a new independent automotive brand. It was co-developed by GAC and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. GAC's new general manager, Xia Xianqing, signed the deal for its development in November 2024 and currently serves as the legal representative of the joint venture.
- GAC Motor
- Huang Yongqiang, the head of brand marketing for GAC, previously served as the deputy chairman and general manager of GAC Motor. Xia Xianqing, GAC’s new general manager, became the legal representative for GAC Motor in early 2025.
- GAC Aion
- GAC Aion is one of GAC's two proprietary brands. Xia Xianqing, GAC's new general manager, became the legal representative for GAC Aion in early 2025, succeeding Feng Xingya. This change is part of a broader management reshuffle at GAC aimed at installing a new team of professional managers.
- GAC Toyota
- GAC Toyota was mentioned as the former workplace of Huang Yongqiang, who has been promoted to deputy general manager at GAC. GAC Toyota is a joint venture, and Huang previously served as a deputy general manager there before his current promotion.
- Seres
- Seres is an automaker where Chen Jiacai, a newly appointed deputy general manager at GAC, previously worked in international business. GAC intends to leverage Chen's extensive experience from Seres and Chery Jetour to spearhead its overseas business expansion.
- Chery Jetour
- The article mentions that Chen Jiacai, appointed as a deputy general manager at GAC, previously worked on international business at Chery Jetour. This experience is highlighted as valuable for GAC's overseas expansion efforts.
- 2018：
- GAC became the first municipal state-owned enterprise in Guangzhou to implement a professional manager system. Under this reform, most of the leadership team, including then-General Manager Feng Xingya, transitioned from government-appointed cadre status to professional managers.
- 2022：
- Xia, Zheng, and Yu first became deputy general managers after a professional manager selection process.
- October 8, 2024：
- The original term of GAC’s previous board and senior management team was set to expire.
- November 2024：
- Xia Xianqing signed a deal with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. to co-develop a new independent auto brand and became legal representative of the joint venture, Huawang Automobile.
- February 2025：
- Feng Xingya became chairman, succeeding the retiring Zeng Qinghong.
- After February 2025：
- Xia Xianqing replaced Feng Xingya as the legal representative for GAC’s two proprietary brands, GAC Motor and GAC Aion.
- March 2025：
- A new board was installed at GAC.
- September 2025：
- GAC announced that deputy general manager Yan Zhuangli had resigned for personal reasons and would not hold any other position in the company.
- September 2025：
- The selection process for professional managers began.
- Evening of November 16, 2025：
- GAC announced the appointment of Xia Xianqing as new general manager and completed a wider management reshuffle.
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