Gunlei

About Gunlei

Beijing Gunlei E-commerce Co., Ltd., operating under the brand Gunlei Imported Cars, functions as a comprehensive supply chain platform for parallel imported vehicles in China. Founded in March 2012, the company was established by Chen Hong, who also serves as the CEO. Chen's journey in the automotive import-export sector began earlier in the United States, where he founded Mayrock Group Inc. in 2006, which became a significant exporter of U.S. specification cars to China. Leveraging this experience, Chen established Gunlei in China in 2015 following the country's policy changes to encourage parallel vehicle imports.

The firm's business model is centered on providing one-stop solutions to car dealerships across China. This service portfolio encompasses vehicle selection, procurement from overseas markets, warehousing, international logistics, customs declaration, and inspection services. Gunlei's primary clients are various types of car dealers within China who are looking to source vehicles from international markets, particularly the United States. The company has established a global procurement network with managers in key auto-exporting countries and maintains long-standing relationships with overseas dealers of major brands like Ford, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, and Land Rover. To support its logistical operations, Gunlei maintains offices in Washington and Los Angeles, and operates a large vehicle export warehouse in Los Angeles.

A key feature of Gunlei's service is the use of internet technology to offer clients live feeds of their vehicles in overseas warehouses and during logistical transit, which aids dealers in pre-selling their inventory. The company has secured venture capital funding, including a Series A round in February 2016 and a subsequent A+ round in January 2018, which raised a reported $76.9 million USD. Investors include notable firms such as Chunxiao Capital, Hejun Group, and COSCO Shipping. Beyond complete vehicles, the company has also ventured into the distribution of overseas auto parts.