Foster’s Group Rolls Out GAC: Cayman’s New Era of Affordable Luxury

By Christopher Tobutt

Under the twinkling lights of Bacaro Restaurant in West Bay, the Foster’s Group rolled out
the red carpet for a new era in Cayman motoring. On Thursday, October 23, the
waterfront venue played host to the official launch of GAC Motor — one of the world’s
largest car manufacturers — now making its debut in the Cayman Islands through Arch
Automotive.
The event, organized by Julian Foster of Hights Agency, was a vibrant mix of elegance and
excitement. Guests mingled over cocktails while a fleet of gleaming GAC vehicles stood
ready for inspection and test drives under a marquee tent. “GAC is one of the fastest
growing auto brands in China,” Foster said.

GAC’s lineup includes gasoline, diesel, and electric models, ranging between CI$24,000
and CI$39,000 – but many priced under CI$30,000 — a sweet spot for Cayman buyers
seeking luxury-level quality without the luxury price tag. But it’s not just affordability that
sets GAC apart. Their electric vehicles boast a staggering 500-kilometre range on a single
charge, and vehicles come equipped with cutting-edge technological features like sunroofs
and head-up displays as standard.

“They’ve spent years building cars for Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi — brands known for
performance and reliability. Now they’re creating their own, and they’re phenomenal.”
said Alex Critchlow, Service Manager at Arch Automotive, who showed me an impressive
timeline of how the Chinese auto manufacturing giant has gone from strength to strength.

Cayman National was there to support the launch. Vice-President of Marketing, Karen
Ebanks, said: “Cayman National Bank is proud to have partnered with Arch Automotive
for the special launch of GAC. Our Lending team was at the forefront of the event offering
a limited time car loan for all attendees as well as great giveaways.” 

One standout feature drew particular attention: the electric models’ battery systems can
double as emergency power sources. “In the event of a hurricane or disaster, you can plug
a cable into the charging port and power your fridge for up to 45 days,” explained Tarique
Amjad, regional distributor for GAC.
That’s more than just innovation – that has to give Cayman customers a little all-round
peace of mind.

And speaking of peace of mind, GAC’s warranty program is designed to ease buyer
concerns. Precise details of warranties differ slightly between electric, gasoline or diesel
options, but they are around the 8-year mark.
“It’s a comprehensive package,” said Amjad. “And it’s transferable — so if you sell the car,
the warranty goes with it. That helps maintain resale value and gives buyers confidence.”

For a new brand in Cayman, parts availability might seem like a hurdle — but GAC has that
covered too. “We’ve got a massive warehouse in Panama,” Amjad assured. “Parts are
easy to get, and we’re fully stocked. There’s no waiting around.”

The launch in Cayman follows GAC’s rapid expansion across the Caribbean, But Thursday’s
event marked a special milestone — the first official introduction of the brand to
Cayman’s discerning drivers. With Foster’s Group, which also owns Car City, leading the
charge, GAC is poised to become a major player in the local market, leading to more
options for Cayman customers who might be looking for premium – luxury style car but
without the premium price-tag.