GAC Hires Former BMW Executive to Lead European Expansion Amid EU Tariffs
Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), a major Chinese automaker and partner of Toyota and Honda, has appointed Thomas Schemera, a veteran executive from BMW and Hyundai, as the global chief operating officer of its overseas business unit. Announced at the Paris Motor Show, this strategic hire aims to accelerate GAC's growth in Europe despite the European Commission's imposition of nearly 40% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Schemera, with three decades of experience at BMW and recent leadership roles at Hyundai, will help establish consumer resonance in the European market. GAC plans to launch its Aion V SUV in Europe by mid-2025, priced competitively under €40,000. The company is also considering local production to mitigate tariff impacts, contingent on strong demand, while expanding its dealership and service networks across the continent by 2028. This move reflects a broader trend of Chinese automakers, including BYD and XPeng, pursuing aggressive international expansion amidst intensifying domestic competition and rising protectionism in Western markets.
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GAC Hires Former BMW Executive to Lead European Expansion Amid EU Tariffs
Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), a major Chinese automaker and partner of Toyota and Honda, has appointed Thomas Schemera, a veteran executive from BMW and Hyundai, as the global chief operating officer of its overseas business unit. Announced at the Paris Motor Show, this strategic hire aims to accelerate GAC's growth in Europe despite the European Commission's imposition of nearly 40% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Schemera, with three decades of experience at BMW and recent leadership roles at Hyundai, will help establish consumer resonance in the European market. GAC plans to launch its Aion V SUV in Europe by mid-2025, priced competitively under €40,000. The company is also considering local production to mitigate tariff impacts, contingent on strong demand, while expanding its dealership and service networks across the continent by 2028. This move reflects a broader trend of Chinese automakers, including BYD and XPeng, pursuing aggressive international expansion amidst intensifying domestic competition and rising protectionism in Western markets.
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