China's GAC selects Calif. for regional HQ as U.S. debut looms

DETROIT -- As an escalating trade war with China delays GAC Motor's planned U.S. debut until at least 2020, the automaker is forging ahead with the launch by establishing a regional headquarters in California.

GAC Motor, a division of China's Guangzhou Automobile Group, said Monday it has registered its North American sales operations in Irvine, Calif., near Los Angeles. The site will handle branding, marketing, product planning and financial affairs for the company, which also maintains design studios and r&d operations in the state.