FIDELITY Motors Limited, part of the Auto Division of Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL), has now joined the growing list of local dealerships representing Chinese automotive brands with the introduction of Guangzhou Automobile Group Company Limited (GAC) to the Jamaican market.

The move marks GAC’s official entry into Jamaica and extends the brand’s expanding Caribbean presence through GEL’s regional automotive strategy and its partnership with Motorworld, which has already established GAC dealerships in St Vincent, St Lucia, Barbados and Grenada. On Wednesday, Fidelity Motors unveiled five GAC models, including its first electric vehicle for Jamaica.

“The Jamaican driver wants the opportunity to go where the rest of the world has gone, a combination of affordable pricing, modern design, advanced technology and improved quality. Attributes which are synonymous with the Chinese automotive brand we are launching today,” said General Manager Deborah Stewart during the launch.

When the Jamaica Observer questioned lingering scepticism among Jamaicans toward Chinese-made vehicles, Stewart reassured that GAC has long-standing partnerships with manufacturers of Japanese-made cars — brands often perceived locally as the benchmark for reliability — describing GAC as an “engineer’s brand”. In outlining the strategic research conducted to find the best fit for the Jamaican market, Stewart said the group wanted to ensure that any brand it introduced offered quality, reliability, strong engineering DNA and genuine value to customers.

“This is the manufacturer that produces Toyota and Honda, and a number of those parts and DNA have been used in the development of GAC,” she said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Fidelity Motors is offering up to 250,000 kilometres or seven years in warranty coverage on the GAC models. The models unveiled were the GS3 Emzoom, a compact crossover SUV; the Emkoo, a futuristic compact SUV; the GS8, a full-size flagship SUV offering premium comfort; the Empow, a sporty compact sedan; and the AION V, a pure-electric compact SUV.

“We have quite a few other models to come, including a pickup and a larger SUV that will serve as the flagship and fit a particular segment of the Jamaican market,” Stewart told the Business Report.

Regional principal Tariq Amjad outlined several features of the new models, highlighting the AION V’s massage seats, built-in fridge and microwave heater. He noted that GAC’s electric vehicles come with an eight-year, 160,000-kilometre warranty and are all manufactured as right-hand drive for markets like Jamaica. Amjad also revealed that the company will introduce gas, hybrid and fully electric models locally, including a pickup truck expected to arrive by mid-2026. The vehicles are equipped with GAC’s smartwatch connectivity, allowing drivers to control various functions from an Android-based GAC watch.

“You can wind up and down your windows, you can open and close your trunk, you can set off your alarm to find your car if you don’t remember where you parked it, and the best part is you can start your car or take off your car [from your GAC watch],” Amjad explained.

He noted further that concerns about parts availability have also been addressed, especially given reports that some Chinese-brand parts can take months to arrive directly from China. Fidelity Motors has secured a substantial stock of parts locally. Amjad added that GAC is the only Chinese manufacturer with a regional warehouse in Panama, which allows Fidelity to source parts from Panama to Jamaica in about two weeks. GAC has already launched in 17 Caribbean territories and is targeting early 2026 for expansion into Suriname, Bonaire, Trinidad and Guyana. GAC Motor is a subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Group, a leading Chinese automaker with origins dating back to 1948. According to Fidelity Motors, the GAC brand is ranked 181 on the 2024 Fortune Global 500 and has been honoured by JD Power as the number one quality Chinese brand for eight consecutive years. GAC sold more than two million vehicles worldwide in 2024 and is forecast to sell 4.75 million per year by 2030.

General Manager Deborah Stewart poses beside the GAC GS8 during the launch. The model, considered GAC’s most luxurious SUV, is the brand’s flagship offering, known for its premium comfort and strong performance. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

The unveiling of GAC’s AION V, a compact electric SUV featuring long-range battery options, smart driving technology and a minimalist, future-ready cabin. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

STEWART…this is the manufacturer that produces Toyota and Honda, and a number of those parts and DNA have been used in the development of GAC (Photo: Joseph Wellington)