Chevy Tahoe to be first import into China by Durant Guild

General Motor's premium platform, the Durant Guild, debuted at the Beijing auto show and launched the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe as the first imported model for Chinese customers with a starting price of 650,000 yuan ($89,700).

The seven-seat SUV has been one of GM's most iconic models for 30 years, dominating full-size SUV sales in the United States. Its lifestyle image embodies the values of the Durant Guild, making it the platform's inaugural product, said GM China President Julian Blissett.

The model was selected based on feedback gathered at the China International Import Expo and the Guangzhou auto show. The platform will choose products favored by the market and introduce them gradually to China.

The Durant Guild will open direct sales showrooms and delivery centers in major cities nationwide by the end of 2024, starting with the first center in Shanghai this summer.

Despite a downturn in China's imported car market, demand for personalized products remains strong, especially in the high-end segment.

The Durant Guild, focusing on quality over quantity, aims to introduce iconic GM models and cater to Chinese consumers' desire for high-quality, personalized lifestyles, Blissett said.

As the Chinese auto market shifts toward electrification, Blissett said that gasoline vehicles still dominate the segment above 500,000 yuan. But the Durant Guild will introduce electric vehicles in the future.

Blissett said: "In (the) recent two year(s), the super competition in the Chinese auto market has been the fiercest I've experienced in (an) 18-year career in China and even globally."

GM sees competition as beneficial for both the industry and consumers. It inspires companies to explore new opportunities, improve costs and enhance operations, fostering continuous growth. For consumers, it offers more choices, he added.

Facing a decline in market share among joint ventures in China, GM will increase investment and accelerate its electrification transformation. It will also advance software, digital businesses and Level 2 plus advanced driving assistance systems while implementing cost controls.

At the Beijing auto show, all new models showcased by GM's joint ventures are new energy vehicles, including pure electric and plug-in hybrid models, which will be rapidly introduced to the market, Blissett said.

The Durant Guild booth is also showcasing the electric Cadillac Celestiq sedan, the GMC Hummer electric SUV and the Corvette Stingray convertible muscle car.