China's largest carmaker SAIC Motor will go all out to further expand its European market this year, and its self-owned brands MG and Maxus are expected to sell 120,000 vehicles in Europe.

The carmaker said that Europe will become the first overseas market where its annual sales will exceed 100,000 vehicles.

According to official data, SAIC Motor sold 697,000 vehicles in overseas markets last year, a year-on-year increase of 78.9 percent, and it has been the largest vehicle exporter for six years in a row. It is said that one out of every three Chinese cars sold overseas is made by SAIC Motor.

The company delivered 470,000 MG vehicles last year, ranking among the top 10 brands in 17 countries. Maxus sold 52,000 electric vans in international markets last year, making it one of the most popular electric van brands in Europe.

As one of China’s first carmakers tapping into the global market, SAIC Motor has established a complete auto industrial chain covering research and development, marketing, logistics, auto parts, manufacturing, finance and second-hand car sales. Its vehicles are now sold in over 80 countries and regions across the globe. The company has developed six large-scale regional markets in the Europe, Australia and New Zealand, America, the Middle East, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and South Asia.

SAIC Motor’s performance in Europe was also very impressive last year. According to official statistics, the company’s two brands MG and Maxus sold 73,000 vehicles in developed countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Sweden, among which more than 40,000 were new energy vehicles (NEVs). Over 800 marketing service outlets have been set up in the Europe, which helps establish a new image of "Intelligent Manufacturing in China".

With the surging demand for NEVs in Europe, SAIC Motor will launch a batch of EV models this year, increase its marketing service outlets to 1,200, accelerate the development of its European market and make Europe its first overseas market with annual sales exceeding 100,000 vehicles.

Over the years, SAIC Motor has increased investment in technological innovation, and more than 30 self-branded NEVs have been launched, including mini cars, saloon cars, SUVs, MPVs, passenger cars, trucks and supercars. To answer the expectations of overseas customers for environmental protection and safety, the carmaker has used revolutionary technologies to develop the global model MG EH32, which will be first released in the European market this year.

SAIC Motor remained profitable in Europe and other key regional markets despite a variety of obstacles and hurdles last year, including the COVID-19 epidemic, rising raw material prices, and growing logistics costs. SAIC Motor will expect ongoing growth in overseas sales this year, thanks to the introduction of popular models and improvements to its logistics, marketing, and after-sales operations.