GM’s Entry-Level Baojun Brand in China Expands Upmarket

General Motors and partners SAIC and Guangxi Automobile are expanding their entry-level Baojun brand in China upmarket with fancier models, a revamped logo and updated dealer showrooms.

The RS-5 SUV/crossover, which launched in China last week at a base price of 96,800 yuan ($14,500), is the first of the new models, Reuters reports. Baojun’s previous top-of-the-line model started at 85,800 yuan ($12,800). The brand plans to add three more models later this year.

Baojun has built strong volume with no-frills cars marketed to China’s smaller towns and rural areas. The brand’s sales peaked at nearly 1 million units in 2017. But they fell to about 840,000 units last year as the market cooled. The entry-level segment also has become dramatically more competitive.

Now Baojun is adding 365 new or refurbished showrooms, representing 60% of all its dealerships in China, Reuters says. GM says the models offered by the updated brand will emphasize self-driving features and the ability to connect with the internet.