13:30 28-03-2026

GAC to rename M8 minivan in Australia following BMW request

Chinese automaker GAC will rename its M8 minivan for the Australian market after BMW requested a name change to avoid overlap with its M8 sports coupe.

Chinese automaker GAC plans to rename its M8 minivan for the Australian market following a request from BMW. The German manufacturer already uses the M8 designation for its sports coupe and asked to avoid naming overlap.

Initially, GAC faced no official objections when launching the model in December, but BMW later approached them to request a name change. According to GAC representatives, the negotiations were conducted in a respectful manner, and the company agreed to consider a new option.

In China, the model is already sold as the E9, so adopting that name is one possible solution. However, E9 also has historical ties to BMW, which could lead to choosing an entirely new designation.

This situation highlights the importance of brand protection in international markets. Similar cases have occurred with other automakers in the past.