ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group) has unveiled four new electric vehicle (EV) models in Ethiopia, marking a significant expansion into the East African market amid growing demand for sustainable transport solutions.
The launch coincided with the opening of the GAC JUNTU flagship showroom in Addis Ababa, where company officials and government representatives highlighted the country’s push toward green mobility and industrial development.
Speaking at the event, GAC’s Ethiopia country manager Zhou Li said the launch was driven by a supportive policy environment and rising consumer interest in electric vehicles.
“In recent years, the Ethiopian government has actively promoted industrialisation, infrastructure, and foreign investment, while steering the transition towards a green and low-carbon economy,” Zhou said, noting that these factors have created favourable conditions for the EV industry.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to e-mobility, emphasising ongoing efforts to cut carbon emissions and build a resilient, environmentally sustainable transport system.
Sime also commended GAC for investing in after-sales services, including maintenance support, spare parts availability, and training for local technicians — factors seen as critical to building consumer confidence in a relatively new market segment.
“I encourage you to continue investing in training, spare parts availability, and building a service culture that puts the customer first,” he said.
The newly opened 2,300-square-metre showroom offers a full-service experience, including sales, maintenance, and customer engagement under a 4S model (sales, service, spare parts, and surveys).
The facility also provides services such as home test drives, reflecting a growing shift toward customer-centric automotive retail in Africa.
Officials say Ethiopia is positioning itself as a future hub for automotive manufacturing and assembly on the continent, leveraging its renewable energy resources, young workforce, and access to regional markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The four EV models are now available for purchase through JUNTU, GAC’s local dealership partner, with the company also announcing plans to roll out mobile applications that will allow users to manage their vehicles remotely via smartphones.
