On May 12th, during his state visit to China, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with the President of GAC INTERNATIONAL Wei Haigang, in Beijing. Both sides engaged in constructive discussions on multiple topics, including the phased achievements of GAC's entry into Brazil, GAC's future development plans in the Brazilian market, and advancing China-Brazil cooperation in the green mobility sector.
During the meeting with President Lula, GAC outlined its plans to localize production in the country. GAC also announced the establishment of an R&D center in Brazil, building on its collaborations with the University of Campinas (Unicamp), the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), and the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), aiming to fully introduce GAC's research and development system into the Brazilian market. In addition, GAC expressed its willingness to provide new energy vehicles for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC).
President Lula stated that GAC's strategic expansion in Brazil is not only a clear demonstration of China's contribution to global sustainable development but also a model of South-South Cooperation. He emphasized that, against the backdrop of current global geopolitical dynamics, GAC's commitment to Brazil stands as a powerful example of mutual trust among Global South countries. It sends a strong message to the world promoting multilateralism and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Wei Haigang announced that GAC will host its brand launch and new models unveiling event in São Paulo on May 23rd, marking its official entry into the Brazilian market. "GAC's mission is to strengthen Brazil-China ties and foster mutual development," Wei Haigang stated， "We aim to propel technological innovation in Latin America's largest economy.”
Action-Oriented Commitment: Chinese Enterprises Contributing to Global Climate Response
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Climate change is a major global issue that concerns the shared future and destiny of humanity, and it requires collective action from all countries. Against this context, COP30 will convene this November in Belém, Brazil, with a key objective to restore global confidence that collective climate action is not only feasible and positive but also economically beneficial for all nations.
President Lula remarked that China, as a representative of developing countries, has set a global example through concrete actions. "By focusing on technological innovation and product development, China's new energy vehicles and solar panels have not only advanced low-carbon and emission-reduction transitions but also created substantial economic value," he noted.
Over the years, China and Brazil have maintained close cooperation in climate governance and the defense of multilateralism. In April of this year, André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 Chair-designate and Brazilian diplomat, stated in an interview with Chinese and foreign media that the "Global South" plays an important role in addressing climate change, with China and Brazil serving as exemplary cases.
Against the backdrop of strengthened China-Brazil cooperation in climate governance, GAC is actively responding to and advancing actions to address climate change. Wei Haigang stated that during COP30, GAC is willing to provide a range of new energy vehicles to meet the event's transportation needs, demonstrating through concrete actions that Chinese companies have both the capability and determination to make a positive contribution to tackling global climate change.
President Lula expressed his hope to jointly accelerate the adoption of new energy vehicles in Brazil and combat global climate change together.
GAC, A Chinese State-owned Automobile Brand with a Full Industrial Chain Layout in Brazil
Brazil has the world's sixth-largest automotive market and exerts significant demonstrative influence across Latin America. For the last few years, the Brazilian government has placed high priority on green reindustrialization, technological innovation, and sustainable development, while actively promoting green, low-carbon development and clean energy advancement.
As one of China's most competitive state-owned automotive groups, GAC is entering Brazil with a full industry chain strategy. GAC views Brazil as a key node in its global strategy, underpinned by the principles of long-term commitment and win-win cooperation. Through advanced green technologies and products, GAC is working alongside its Brazilian partners to provide sustainable, green, and intelligent mobility solutions for the country.
Wei Haigang stated that GAC's investment in Brazil covers areas such as flexible-fuel technology, clean energy, electrification, intelligent R&D, localized production, and green mobility. Through comprehensive industrial chain ecosystem deployment, GAC will drive the transformation of Brazil's automotive industry toward intelligent and new energy development.
President Lula highly commended GAC's progress in Brazil. The President expressed confidence that, leveraging Brazil's strategic position in the region, GAC will establish Brazil as its core hub for the Latin American market.
The GAC Brazil Brand Launch and New Vehicle Unveiling Ceremony Is Set to Take Place Soon
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During the meeting, Wei Haigang introduced to President Lula that GAC's Brazilian subsidiary officially launched at the end of last year. The company has established comprehensive cooperation with the Federal University of Santa Maria, the Federal University of Santa Catarina, and the University of Campinas, focusing on technical exchange, talent development, and collaborative product R&D. GAC is now fully prepared to enter the Brazilian market and will hold a brand launch and new vehicle unveiling ceremony in São Paulo on May 23rd. They extended a warm invitation to President Lula to attend the event.
President Lula was also briefed on three new models set to launch in Brazil — the AION V, AION Y, and GS4 HEV. These models will offer Brazilian consumers a high-quality, high-tech, and high-value mobility experience. He stated that, time permitting, he would make every effort to attend the GAC Brazil brand launch event.
During the meeting, Wei Haigang delivered to President Lula a tailored football jersey of the Guangzhou Power Football Club.
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As the world's most popular sport, football has a broad global influence. Brazil, known as the "football kingdom," has a rich football culture. As a local Guangzhou-based team under GAC, the "Guangzhou Power Football Club" also enjoys a strong fan base. The gift of football jerseys symbolizes that the cooperation between GAC and Brazil can be as vibrant and passionate as the sport itself, while also highlighting the openness and inclusive attitude of Chinese companies integrating into the world.
Looking Ahead
With the discussions with President Lula serving as an important milestone, GAC's strategic development in Brazil is accelerating once again. GAC has always believed that globalization is not a short-term zero-sum game, but a long-term process of ecosystem co-building. GAC's goal is not just to "sell products," but to "bring its ecosystem capabilities abroad." This meeting will not only accelerate GAC's full industry chain layout in Brazil, creating a systematic framework covering R&D, manufacturing, supply, services, and ecosystem operations, but also help Chinese automotive companies shift from "product export" to "ecosystem export" in the global market.
GAC will adhere to the principles of long-termism and win-win cooperation, in Brazil, for Brazil, integrating into Brazil, serving Brazil, and contributing to Brazil. GAC is committed to becoming a reliable automotive brand among Brazilian consumers, working together with Brazil toward a new future of green and intelligent mobility, and building a win-win framework for the China-Brazil automotive industry.