GWM Australia has announced Andrew Gao, a 15-year veteran of the automaker, as its new 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 more than five years in the role, will move to a position with GWM’s European operations, having overseen significant sales growth in Australia that saw GWM become both a top-ten brand and the best-selling Chinese automaker locally.
In a record sales year, 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 year’s result followed gains of 17.5 per cent in 2024, when the brand recorded 42,782 sales to finish tenth overall, improving on its 2023 performance of 36,397 sales, a 45.3 per cent increase that saw it place 13th.
GWM Australia also finished 13th in 2022, with 25,042 sales – around half the volume it achieved in 2025.
Globally, China overtook Japan as 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 first time last year.
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 expected to arrive in the second half of the year, when the Cannon Alpha ute and Tank 500 are scheduled to receive a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.
The company has also embarked on a significant local tuning program, hiring former Holden handling guru Rob Trubiani to develop suspension packages for Australian roads, which are often significantly rougher than those in China.
“As we enter 2026, we will continue to introduce compelling new products, locally tuned and optimised specifically for Australian and New Zealand customers,” said Mr Gao in a statement.
“Our dealer network is central to delivering a best-in-class purchasing and ownership journey, and we will continue to invest in providing them with the tools, systems and resources required to succeed.
“In parallel, we are 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 better vehicles, superior driving experiences, and outstanding value and service.”
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 build up to 300,000 vehicles annually at a yet-to-be-confirmed plant in either Spain or Hungary.
GWM is one of several Chinese automakers looking 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 is also currently looking at an arrangement with Jaguar Land Rover to build cars in the United Kingdom.
The leadership change at GWM Australia comes a day after Nissan announced Andrew Humberstone would leave the top job locally to take up a role in Paris, France. He’ll be succeeded by Steve Milette, who joins from Nissan in Canada.
Additionally, 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 more than five years, with former chief financial officer Fadi Mawal taking over.
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 role within the company in Germany.
Finally, Peter Ciao has left the top role at MG Motor Australia. Qing Zhang, vice president of parent company SAIC Motor’s International division, will serve as SAIC Motor’s local boss with Felix Jiang appointed as senior vice president for the Australia New Zealand region.
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