Guangzhou Automobile Group Company Limited (GAC) joins the many Chinese automotive brands that have recently appeared on Jamaican shores as Fidelity Motors announced on Wednesday, November 26, at its downtown Kingston showroom that it’s the exclusive authorised local dealer for the GAC Motor line of vehicles.

“It is our privilege to introduce the new line of GAC vehicles to the Jamaican market. GAC brings a future-focused approach to mobility, characterised by world-class design, advanced safety systems, technological innovation, and outstanding performance offered at exceptional value,” Deborah Stewart, general manager, Fidelity Motors Limited, told the media in attendance at the launch.

The introduction of GAC comes as Barbados-based Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL) Auto Division, the parent company of Fidelity Motors Limited, has brought the brand to its fold through a partnership with Motorworld, the regional distributor for GAC.

“GEL Auto has now successfully established the GAC brand in a number of our dealerships in the Caribbean region, such as Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, Barbados, and Grenada. Today, Jamaica’s own, Fidelity Motors, becomes part of that growing network,” said Alan Bayne, chief executive officer, GEL Auto Division.

GAC Motor is a subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Group Company Limited, one of the leading Chinese automakers. From its start in 1948, it has rapidly grown and is forecast to sell over four million units by 2030. It has several joint ventures with top Japanese manufacturers like Toyota and Honda, to name a few.

“Our partnership with GAC is reinforced by the support of Motorworld, our regional principal and the established GAC dealership in Saint Maarten, as well as the Goddard Enterprises Limited Auto Division,” said Stewart.

Fidelity Motors will carry five GAC models to start, four of which are SUVs, and one sedan. They are further separated by drivetrain, as one of the five is an EV.

Gracing their showroom floor are the GS3 Emzoom, Emkoo, GS8, Empow, and the AION V.

The GS3 Emzoom is aimed at the younger SUV buyer with its sporty, bold styling. Powered by a 1.5-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder making 174bhp and 199lb/ft of torque, it’s available in three trim levels starting at $4.95 million.

The Emkoo, another five-seat SUV, continues the bold and angular design language, plus the drivetrain also uses a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder outputting 177bhp and 199lb/ft of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to its front wheels. Pricing starts at $6.9 million with two trim options.

The GS8 is the brand’s flagship full-sized SUV. For $10.45 million it is built to carry seven in premium comfort. It uses a 248bhp, two-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder making 295lb/ft of torque.

AION is a sub-brand of GAC, and the AION V is an all-electric compact SUV. Priced to start at $5.95 million, there is up to 600 kilometres of range and charging speeds of up to 180kWh, based on which of the two trims is chosen.

The event highlighted one of the major tech features of the GAC — the smartwatch. The Android-based watch is a car-integrated device that acts as a third key fob and offers abilities such as remote start. It is included with vehicle purchase. All models come with a bumper-to-bumper, seven-year, 250,000-kilometre warranty.

Stewart promises to deliver peace of mind with after-sales support.

“Fidelity Motors has also invested in the infrastructure necessary to ensure customer confidence. We maintain a comprehensive parts inventory and a team of trained technical professionals,” she explained.

For buyers wanting something bigger and more luxurious, GAC presents the G8. (Photo: Rory Daley)

The AION is an all-electric SUV.(Photo: Rory Daley)

The Empow is small tech-forward performance sedan.(Photo: Rory Daley)

Alan Bayne, chief executive officer, Goddard Enterprise Limited Auto Division, joins the launch remotely from Barbados.(Photo: Rory Daley)

Fidelity Motors will now be the exclusive authorised local dealers for the GAC line of automobiles. The addition was announced on Wednesday, November 26, at their downtown Kingston showroom. Here is the GS3 Emzoom. (Photo: Rory Daley)

Akeem Campbell, sales representative, Fidelity Motors, shows off the GAC smartwatch, which allows remote operation of various functions of any GAC vehicle. (Photo: Rory Daley)