GAC hits back at Stellantis over collapse of Chinese JV

(Reuters) – China’s Guangzhou Vehicle Group (GAC) stated on Friday it was “deeply shocked” by crucial feedback from Stellantis in regards to the finish of their three way partnership in China, including it was Stellantis that “did not fulfill its dedication”.

Final week, Stellantis and GAC stated they might finish their loss-making enterprise producing Jeep SUVs in China solely 4 months after Stellantis stated it might elevate its stake within the enterprise. In January, GAC reprimanded Stellantis for asserting plans to lift its stake to 75% from 50%, stating the events had not signed a proper settlement.

On Thursday, whereas reporting monetary outcomes, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares stated over the past 5 years “the political affect” in doing enterprise with its companions in China was rising by the day.

Tavares added that GAC didn’t need to abide by the binding memorandum of understanding the businesses had signed and “most popular to be in breach, relatively than execute it. We took the conclusion that in fact belief was damaged.”

GAC responded on Friday, saying the enterprise had not been in a position “to ascertain a mutually reliable working mechanism tailored to the extremely aggressive surroundings in China with a purpose to flip the antagonistic state of affairs of steady losses lately.”

GAC stated in a press release that it was “deeply shocked” by Tavares’ remarks and Stellantis “did not fulfill its dedication” to maintain the three way partnership working. GAC added it hoped the businesses would terminate the enterprise “in a practical and accountable method.”

Stellantis officers declined to touch upon Friday about GAC’s assertion.

With lower than 1% market share, Stellantis has been seeking to revamp its technique within the Chinese language auto market. In its 2030 marketing strategy launched in March, Stellantis stated it might undertake an “asset-light” enterprise mannequin in China, nonetheless aiming to extend income however through imports relatively than home manufacturing.

(Reporting by Ben Klayman in Detroit, Giulio Piovaccari in Milan and Zoey Zhang in Shanghai; Modifying by Mark Potter)