GWM Australia has announced Andrew Gao, a 15-year veteran of the automaker, as its recent managing director from February 1, 2026.
Mr Gao joined GWM in 2011, relocating to Australia in 2014 and serving in senior leadership roles across sales, network development and product functions.
He’ll replace Charles Zhao who, after greater than five years within the role, will move to a position with GWM’s European operations, having overseen significant sales growth in Australia that saw GWM change into each a top-ten brand and the best-selling Chinese automaker locally.
In a record sales 12 months, GWM – which in Australia includes Haval SUVs, GWM utes, Tank off-roaders and the Ora electric hatch – finished seventh overall in 2025 with 52,809 sales, representing growth of 23.4 per cent.
Its best-selling model was the GWM Haval Jolion, ahead of the Haval H6 – with Haval brought under the GWM umbrella during Mr Zhao’s leadership – and followed by the Cannon and Tank 300.
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Last 12 months’s result followed gains of 17.5 per cent in 2024, when the brand recorded 42,782 sales to complete tenth overall, improving on its 2023 performance of 36,397 sales, a forty five.3 per cent increase that saw it place thirteenth.
GWM Australia also finished thirteenth in 2022, with 25,042 sales – around half the amount it achieved in 2025.
Globally, China overtook Japan because the world’s largest new-vehicle manufacturing nation in 2025, while Chinese-made vehicles also broke the 200,000-unit sales milestone in Australia for the primary time last 12 months.
In 2026, GWM Australia will introduce its premium brand Wey to local showrooms as a direct rival to BYD’s Denza and IM Presented by MG Motor.
The Haval Jolion Max is anticipated to reach within the second half of the 12 months, when the Cannon Alpha ute and Tank 500 are scheduled to receive a brand new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.
The corporate has also launched into a major local tuning program, hiring former Holden handling guru Rob Trubiani to develop suspension packages for Australian roads, which are sometimes significantly rougher than those in China.
“As we enter 2026, we’ll proceed to introduce compelling recent products, locally tuned and optimised specifically for Australian and Latest Zealand customers,” said Mr Gao in a press release.
“Our dealer network is central to delivering a best-in-class purchasing and ownership journey, and we’ll proceed to speculate in providing them with the tools, systems and resources required to succeed.
“In parallel, we’re focused on improving our aftersales operations through expanded parts warehousing and enhanced technical training. Together, these initiatives will underpin our long-term commitment to delivering higher vehicles, superior driving experiences, and outstanding value and repair.”
Mr Zhao’s move to Europe coincides with GWM’s push on the continent, including plans to expand its manufacturing footprint there, with a stated ambition to accumulate to 300,000 vehicles annually at a yet-to-be-confirmed plant in either Spain or Hungary.
GWM is considered one of several Chinese automakers seeking to mitigate import tariffs in Europe by establishing local production, alongside BYD, Geely and Chery, the latter of which took over a former Nissan manufacturing plant in Barcelona, Spain in 2024.
Chery can also be currently taking a look at an arrangement with Jaguar Land Rover to construct cars in the UK.
The leadership change at GWM Australia comes a day after Nissan announced Andrew Humberstone would depart the highest job locally to take up a job in Paris, France. He’ll be succeeded by Steve Milette, who joins from Nissan in Canada.
Moreover, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) announced earlier this month that Shunichi Kihara will replace Shaun Westcott as its CEO, while at Ford Australia Andrew Birkic departed after greater than five years, with former chief financial officer Fadi Mawal taking up.
Volkswagen Australia has also installed an interim managing director in Jeff Mannering – who also oversees Audi Australia – following the promotion of Karsten Seifert to a job inside the company in Germany.
Finally, Peter Ciao has left the highest role at MG Motor Australia. Qing Zhang, vp of parent company SAIC Motor’s International division, will function SAIC Motor’s local boss with Felix Jiang appointed as senior vp for the Australia Latest Zealand region.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
