(Yicai Global) Dec.13 -- Chinese auto manufacturer GAC MOTOR, owned by GAC Group, is in the midst of expanding its international presence.

Yicai Global spoke with GAC Motor International Sales Company General Manager Fu Jinhai at the recent China Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition to discuss how those plans are playing out. 

GAC MOTOR has built sales and customer service networks in 16 countries along the Belt and Road route so far. Those nations cover the Middle East, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. This brand has already become the top Chinese marque in Kuwait, Bahrain and Nigeria.

GAC MOTOR has also been preparing for sales in the United States. They took part in the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) held in Detroit from 2013, and have attended four times since. 

According to Fu, GAC MOTOR will attend NAIAS for the fifth time in January next year and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) show for the second time next year. Their products for North America are in development and their certification applications are progressing smoothly. The cars will enter the North American market in 2020 as planned, and they will open their North American distribution unit in Los Angeles at the end of this year, which will handle sales and customer service in the US, Canada and Mexico.

"Even if the Sino-US dispute persists, GAC MOTOR is fully prepared for the expansion in the North American market. " said Fu.