General Motors' (GM) Chevrolet brand has been withdrawing from major Asian retail markets, exiting Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand between 2018 and 2020.

The brand is now ending new-car sales in China. After more than two decades, GM is ending new-car sales of Chevrolet vehicles in China.

The decision follows a decline in demand, according to a local daily. Chinese automakers have increased their market share, particularly in the new-energy vehicle (NEV) segment, through software integration, electrification and pricing.

GM will continue its operations in China through its 50:50 joint venture with SAIC Motor, which was recently extended until 2047 and is undergoing restructuring. SAIC-GM will prioritise the Buick and Cadillac brands, which have recorded higher sales in China. The joint venture plans to launch at least 30 new-energy vehicles by 2030 across battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and range-extended EV powertrains.

Although retail sales of Chevrolet vehicles are ending in China, the country will continue to serve as a manufacturing and export base for GM. Vehicles produced by the joint venture will continue to be exported to the Middle East, Africa, South America, Mexico and parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

What this means for the Philippines

In the Philippines, official Chevrolet distribution is managed by Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), with the current local line-up largely sourced from China through SAIC-GM production facilities.

Models sold in local showrooms include the Groove crossover and seven-seat Captiva MPV. HARI also offers Chinese-sourced new-energy models, including the Spark EUV, Captiva EV and Captiva PHEV, while larger models such as the Tahoe and Suburban are imported directly from North America.

Although Chevrolet vehicles will no longer be sold through local dealerships in China, SAIC-GM will continue assembling vehicles for overseas markets. For Filipino buyers, the supply chain for Chinese-sourced Chevrolet models remains active, while the change reflects Chevrolet's shift towards an export-focused strategy in the region.