On May 19, 2026, GAC officially announced a two-year strategic partnership with Deportivo Toluca FC, a legendary club in Mexican football, becoming the club’s official partner. This collaboration represents a key milestone for GAC in advancing its global sports marketing strategy across the Americas, further strengthening the brand's localized development and global footprint in core markets of the region.
Shared Values, Reaching New Heights of Brand Excellence
Founded in 1917, Deportivo Toluca FC is one of the most heritage and competitive clubs in Mexican football. The club has won 12 Liga MX championships and stands as an iconic benchmark in Latin American football. With a century-long legacy and championship pedigree, the club has amassed over 4.4 million loyal fans, solidifying its status as a top-tier giant in Latin American football.
Francisco , Executive President of Deportivo Toluca FC, stated at the signing ceremony: “Today marks the beginning of our partnership with GAC, representing our shared pursuit of excellence, innovation and long-term commitment. Toluca FC takes great pride in standing alongside a global brand that embraces growth and shares a winning mindset both on and off the pitch.”
Deep Integration, From “Market Entry” to “Brand Localization”
This cooperation goes beyond traditional sports sponsorship, representing a pivotal step for GAC to take root in the Mexican market. Leveraging football as a cultural bridge, the brand will build a long-term strategic platform connecting local communities and Mexican consumers.
Savion Lau, Executive Vice President of GAC Mexico, emphasized that this is far more than a simple sports sponsorship; it reflects the resonance between the two parties rooted in excellence, passion, discipline and a winning mindset. He added that GAC is honored to partner with a legendary club that holds deep historical and emotional ties with Mexican automotive fans, further fulfilling the brand's long-term commitment to the Mexican market and automotive industry.
The two sides will jointly launch brand visibility initiatives, fan-exclusive experiences and special events to engage local users closely and authentically, forging strong bonds with millions of fans. Through football — a beloved national cultural symbol in Mexico — GAC will achieve efficient brand exposure, strengthen its premium, reliable and innovative brand image in the Mexican market, and complete the critical leap from “market entry” to “Brand Localization”.
Expanding Its Footprint, Building a Latin American Sports Marketing Matrix
Mexico is a core strategic market in GAC's global layout, undertaking a vital mission for the brand's internationalization. In recent years, GAC has strengthened its presence in the Latin American market with robust capabilities:
- Recognized Quality: GAC has ranked first among Chinese brands in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) for eight consecutive years.
- Multi-Powertrain Lineup: GAC offers a portfolio of 10 models in Mexico covering gasoline, hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric (EV) powertrains.
- Holistic Sports Synergy: The partnership with Toluca FC is another major sports marketing initiative following GAC’s moves in key Latin American markets including Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia and Uruguay.
GAC has now built a sports marketing ecosystem covering Latin America and linking the world, evolving from single-event sponsorship to holistic sports ecosystem collaboration to continuously elevate its global brand influence.
The partnership between GAC and Mexico’s Toluca FC marks not only a new starting point for a powerful alliance but also a milestone in GAC’s global sports marketing strategy. GAC has previously collaborated with influential Latin American football clubs including Millonarios and Flamengo. This strategic signing with Toluca FC signifies the completion of GAC’s sports marketing footprint across Latin America, demonstrating the brand’s strategic resolve to systematically upgrade from “single-point sponsorship” to “holistic sports ecosystem collaboration.”
Building on this foundation, GAC will continue to advance its global sports marketing strategy and partner with more top-tier teams worldwide in the future. Using sports as a bridge, GAC will bring China’s intelligent manufacturing to an even broader global stage!