Chinese automaker GAC debuts its first, futuristic-looking pickup truck

Chinese automaker GAC debuted a bold, futuristic pickup truck featuring a stiff stainless steel exoskeleton and boasting robust hauling performance in the hope of attracting global buyers at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show on Wednesday. The four-wheel-drive Pickup 01 delivered an impressive 12,000 Nm (8,850 lb-ft) of torque at the wheels, while an intelligent chassis system scans the pavement 1,000 times per second to detect special road conditions and keep the body level on bumpy roads, the company said.

State-owned GAC, a long-time partner of Toyota and Honda in China, plans to start producing electric pickup trucks for overseas markets in 2027, hoping to enter Australia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Mexico among other countries, according to chairman and president Feng Xingya. GAC also showcased its highly autonomous vehicles in collaboration with Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi, which will be used to transport passengers next year in parts of Beijing and the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, where GAC is headquartered. The automaker reported sales of approximately 2 million cars last year and has set a 2025 growth target of 15%. [TechNode reporting, GAC press release]