As part of its global strategy "One GAC 2.0," Chinese automaker GAC revealed a concept model of a fully electric pickup truck under its GAC New Energy Commercial Vehicle brand at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show. The vehicle, named Pickup 01, is scheduled to enter commercial production in 2027, with a clear focus on overseas markets such as Australia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Mexico.
The Importance of the Electric Commercial Vehicle Market in China and Globally
The commercial vehicle market in China experienced significant growth in 2024, with production reaching 3.805 million units and sales totaling 3.873 million units. Among these figures, segments such as buses, small trucks (pickups), and new energy commercial vehicles have shown steady year-on-year growth, with exports exceeding 900,000 units.
Small trucks represent about one-twelfth of the global annual vehicle sales, highlighting their importance as a growing sector in the automotive industry. However, the Chinese small truck market has remained constrained by strict policies classifying them as light commercial vehicles, which has limited their domestic growth pace.
GAC’s Focus on Overseas Markets
Pickup trucks are a key growth area for Chinese automakers. According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), 62,000 pickup trucks were exported in the first quarter of 2025, a 31% increase compared to the same period last year. These exports account for 45% of total small truck sales.
In this context, GAC has developed an ambitious plan to launch the Pickup 01 as a global electric pickup truck tailored to meet the needs of overseas markets, especially in regions with growing demand for versatile pickup vehicles.
Design and Technical Specifications of GAC Pickup 01
The vehicle is built on GAC’s self-developed GAIA (GAC Adaptive Intelligent Architecture) platform, which allows dynamic adjustment of suspension systems, motor power, and driving modes to suit different usage conditions.
The exterior design of the Pickup 01 features a modern mechanical style ("Mecha Style") with large tires and high ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The vehicle is equipped with futuristic through-type front and rear lights that give it a distinctive, forward-looking appearance.
Technologically, the pickup includes advanced driver assistance systems, digital side mirrors, and hidden door handles to improve aerodynamics.
Smart Cabin and Driving Experience
The Pickup 01’s interior boasts a "Dual-mode Intelligent Cockpit" system that adapts seamlessly to various environments-whether construction sites, mountainous terrain, icy regions, or urban roads.
The cabin design maintains the mechanical exterior’s sporty feel, with red accents adding a dynamic atmosphere. The steering wheel features a flat-bottom design to enhance driver comfort and control.
Future Vision and Market Trends
Through this model, GAC aims to expand its presence in the growing global market for electric small trucks, leveraging its expertise in smart platforms and advanced technologies.
The focus on overseas markets reflects the company’s awareness of the limitations imposed by the Chinese domestic market on pickup trucks and its intent to seize opportunities in countries like Australia and Saudi Arabia, where pickups are highly popular.
The GAC Pickup 01 represents a strategic milestone in GAC’s global ambitions, combining modern design, robust performance, and intelligent technologies to meet the demands of the expanding electric small truck segment.
With production slated for 2027, this vehicle is expected to become a strong competitor in international markets, reinforcing GAC’s position as a leading Chinese manufacturer in the versatile electric vehicle sector.
At "Al-Katonia Automotive," we will continue to closely monitor updates on this vehicle and other developments shaping the global electric vehicle industry.
Tamara is an editor who has been working in the automotive field for over 3 years. She is also an automotive journalist and presenter; she shoots car reviews and tips on her social media platforms. She has a translation degree, and she also works as a freelance translator, copywriter, voiceover artist, and video editor. She’s taken automotive OBD Scanner and car diagnosis courses, and she’s also worked as an automotive sales woman for a year, in addition to completing an internship with Skoda Lebanon for 2 months. She also has been in the marketing field for over 2 years, and she also create social media content for small businesses.
