LOS ANGELES — Not long ago, it looked like Guangzhou Automobile Group would be the first Chinese automaker to set up shop on U.S. shores.
It had twice made appearances at the Detroit auto show, showing off SUVs under the Cobo Center lights and winning respect for its designs and quality credentials. Between those events, in March 2018, GAC made an attention-grabbing debut at the National Automobile Dealers Association Show to recruit dealers.