Chevy Could Be Axed In China As Sales Fall Off A Cliff

China was once a hugely important market for Chevrolet, but times are changing. Over the last six years, its sales in China have plummeted much like a base jumper flying over the edge of a cliff. However, whereas a base jumper has a parachute to save them, Chevy has no such lifeline and could be about to abandon the Chinese market entirely.

A new local report asserts that Chevrolet has indefinitely delayed three major projects that had yet to reach production. These are known internally as C223, C1YC-2, and D2UC-2 ICE. The first was shaping up to be a new all-electric SUV, while C1YC-2 was set to serve as the brand’s flagship SUV. The DCUC-2 ICE was going to be a new version of the Chevrolet Trailblazer. All three are dead in the water.

Read: GM’s Sales In China Have Almost Halved Since 2017

Zaker understands that all existing Chevy models in China will also soon reach the end of production.

General Motors has not confirmed that Chevrolet is leaving China. However, SAIC-GM general manager Lu Xiao reportedly said that “rumors that the Chevrolet brand will withdraw from China are fake news.” He then added that “we will not give up on Chevrolet,” but he reportedly meant that the firm “will not give up on Chevrolet’s existing users.”

One insider believes that Lu was indicating that SAIC-GM will assume responsibility for the after-sales network and maintenance of Chevrolet vehicles in China.

A glance at Chevy’s local sales figures reveals why GM may be losing faith in the brand. In 2018, Chevrolet sold 641,320 vehicles in the country, giving it a 2.8% share of the total market. That number then fell significantly to 512,455 in 2019 before cratering further in 2020 when just 309,155 new Chevys were sold in China.

Sales have continued to fall post-Covid, dropping to 269,261 in 2021, 231,111 in 2022, 168,588 in 2023, and just 52,774 in 2024. Through the first four months of this year, Chevrolet has sold just 5,314 vehicles, Car News China reports.