SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) is developing its Wuling-brand sedan and plans to launch the compact mid-size model codenamed GP50 at the end of 2010, the venture's passenger car project director told Gasgoo.com yesterday.

SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., General Motors' mini-commercial-vehicle venture with SAIC Motor and Wuling Auto, will build the GP50 sedan model mainly on the technical platform of Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), an auto tech and design venture of GM and SAIC.

Meanwhile, this Wuling-brand GP50 sedan, whose launch is scheduled for late 2010 or early 2011,  is likely to share dealerships with the Chevrolet Spark, which already has developed a mature sales network.

SAIC-GM-Wuling sold 88,711 vehicles in August, up 123% from a year earlier. Sales in the first eight months increased 60% to 702,610 units. Its exports to South America and North Africa also grew considerably last month.

As a leader in China's mini-van market, SAIC-GM-Wuling aims to expand into the sedan market by launching its Wuling-brand sedan model. This has nothing to do with the sedan project of Guangxi province, where the company is located, the director said.