Sean Tupp is the national sales manager for GAC Motor NZ
Words NZ Autocar | Image Autotalk
Sean Tupp today announced his appointment as national sales manager for GAC Motor NZ. Tupp has 25 years of managerial experience in the motor industry.
The new Chinese brand set up shop here in February 2025. Back then it said Erjin (David) Bao was the new brand’s national manager for New Zealand.
Tupp began his career at Ford New Zealand, then moved to the Giltrap Group-owned European Motor Distributors. There he climbed the ranks from sales manager at Volkswagen to general manager of the Skoda brand.
He also became the sales GM for Holden New Zealand before moving into management roles at MG Motor New Zealand and most recently GWM Haval Australia and New Zealand.
GAC Motor, short for Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Co., Ltd., is a Chinese car manufacturer that was founded in 2008. It has headquarters in Guangzhou. Wholly owned by GAC Group, it focuses on making vehicles, auto parts, and is involved in related trading services.
Its first offering will likely be the Aion 5 SUV, and should launch here before year end.
As of November 2021, GAC Motor is represented in the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. In addition, the company has set up distributors in several countries.
GAC Motor has partnered with major international manufacturers, such as Toyota. It is now taking steps to introduce its line-up—including electric and hybrid SUVs under the Aion banner—to markets including Australia (slated for mid-2025) and New Zealand.
