On Wednesday, April 15, Jamaica’s exclusive authorized dealer for Chinese automotive manufacturer GAC, Fidelity Motors, officially unveiled the brand’s latest offering — the premium five-seat GAC S7 Ultra AWD plug-in hybrid SUV — during a launch event held at Kingston’s National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew. The new model marks the latest expansion of GAC’s growing footprint across the Caribbean, following the brand’s successful regional rollout launched by parent group Goddard Enterprise Limited (GEL) Auto Division in late 2024.
Deborah Stewart, General Manager of Fidelity Motors, emphasized that the S7 was developed and introduced to serve an underserved segment of Jamaica’s new vehicle market, combining GAC’s signature design language, proven build reliability, strong customer value, and industry-leading ownership experience. “This is an absolutely quality product that we’ve brought to Jamaican consumers to meet the specific needs of a growing group of buyers who want the balance of value and premium features that GAC consistently delivers,” Stewart told local automotive outlet Jamaica Observer Auto.
Alan Bayne, CEO of GEL’s Auto Division, echoed Stewart’s confidence in the new model, describing the S7 as a top-tier offering that stands out in Jamaica’s competitive SUV segment. Bayne urged local consumers to test the vehicle firsthand to experience its unique value proposition.
Positioned below GAC’s existing full-size seven-seat S8 SUV, the S7 Ultra AWD’s core selling point is its flexible plug-in hybrid powertrain, engineered to cater to drivers seeking electric efficiency without range anxiety. The system pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors powered by a 36.3kWh externally chargeable battery, delivering a combined output of 500 brake horsepower and 452 lb-ft of torque. This setup enables all-wheel drive, a 0-to-60mph acceleration time of just under six seconds, a 150-kilometer all-electric range for daily commuting, and a total combined range of 1,150 kilometers for long-distance travel. “The S7 gives you the best of all worlds,” Bayne explained. “You can drive it as a fully electric vehicle for daily trips, run it as a traditional hybrid for balanced efficiency, or switch to gasoline-only power when needed.”
Beyond its innovative powertrain, the S7 comes packed with a full suite of premium, mostly automated amenities that rival much more expensive luxury SUVs. All five passengers get power-adjustable leather seating with built-in massage and memory functions; front-row seats add heating and cooling capability, while the rear seat behind the front passenger features full recline via an integrated electronic leg support. The driver’s cockpit combines an 8.8-inch LCD instrument cluster, a head-up display (HUD), and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen infotainment system powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform. Standard tech features include wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an AI-powered voice assistant, and a high-end 1,640-watt 22-speaker audio system. Acoustic privacy glass keeps cabin noise to a minimum, while a built-in multifunction refrigerator offers both cooling and heating capabilities for passenger convenience. Launch attendees also got a first-hand look at the vehicle’s standout innovative feature: AI-enabled emotional headlights that can display custom animations and personalized text.
Priced at 9.3 million Jamaican dollars, the S7 is already available for test drives and purchase, and Fidelity Motors leadership say they have high expectations for the model’s performance on the local market. GEL first announced plans to bring the GAC brand to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean in November 2024, partnering with Sint Maarten-based regional GAC distributor Motorworld to roll out the brand across Caribbean markets by the end of last year. So far, early results have exceeded expectations: Bayne noted that the brand’s existing GS3 EMZOOM compact SUV has already sold out across all regional markets, and Stewart reported that consumer response to the GAC brand in Jamaica has been overwhelmingly positive. “The response to the GAC brand has been excellent. It has been doing very well, and we are excited. The wonderful thing is that it has appealed to every demographic in the Jamaican market,” Stewart said.
Looking ahead, Fidelity Motors plans to continue expanding GAC’s model lineup in Jamaica, with a new pickup truck slated to launch before the end of 2025. All current GAC models were available for test drives at the S7 launch event, giving consumers the chance to experience the full range of the brand’s offerings before buying.