Image Source: SAIC Maxus

TMTPOST -- SAIC Motor has kicked off a major overhaul of its commercial vehicle business, unveiling a bold new strategy for SAIC Maxus at the 2024 Shanghai Auto Show. The brand will now operate as a standalone business unit, with a sharper focus on electrification, smart technology, and global expansion.

Yang Huaijing, Chairman of SAIC's Commercial Vehicle Executive Committee, will lead Maxus in this next chapter. The company aims to speed up decision-making, streamline operations, and compete more effectively in a fast-changing market.

As traditional auto giants like Daimler and Volvo go electric—and startups like Tesla push the boundaries with intelligent trucks—SAIC Maxus faces rising pressure. Domestic rivals such as BYD and FAW Jiefang are also intensifying their new energy push. Maxus's answer: tighter focus, stronger execution, and deeper collaboration.

Under the new structure, Maxus will prioritize wide-body vans, pickup trucks, and MPVs. Yang says each new model must be a hit—"no room for duds." Highlight models include the futuristic Interstellar X and the Cyberster concept.

The company is also integrating with Nanjing Iveco and syncing across R&D, production, and services to boost speed and efficiency. The larger goal is to build a seamless "Maxus ecosystem" for commercial mobility.