Celebrating four-decades in business, market needs and superior solutions have been a key driver in this company’s success.

Forty years is a significant milestone in anything, and in 2025, GSP Automotive celebrates four-decades of automotive success. What has become a leader in vehicle axles, hubs and strut assemblies, began in a small house in Dongqiaodi Wenzhou, in China back in 1985. At the time, 33-year-old Jiaru Zhou founded Wenzhou Dong ‘ou Electrical Equipment, a machine processing facility, starting out with a few employees and three lathes. Zhou realized there was an opportunity for parts and accessories in automobiles, since the number of cars on the road at that time was growing significantly.

Fulfilling a need

One of the most popular vehicles in the community during the late-1980s and 1990s was the small, rear-engine Polski Fiat 126P, known colloquially as “big-toed shoes,” of which many were pressed into service as taxis. Zhou and a few companions, decided to pool their resources and acquired their own 126P for research. He soon discovered that he was able to manufacture local replacement universal joints for the car, and this began the company’s foray into the automotive aftermarket sector. In 1998 the company launched its first driveshaft, and the following year was renamed GSP Automotive Group. From there, international expansion beckoned, and in 2003, the company set up its first overseas subsidiary in the United States, near Atlanta, Ga. Today, GSP has two North American distribution centres, strategically located in Avondale, Ariz., and Spartanburg, SC.

Further expansion

Two years later, GSP established operations in Latin America, as well as a new hub bearing facility, during what was then, it’s 20^th year of operations. In 2006, GSP expanded into Europe, with a new facility in Cologne, Germany and two years later joined TecDoc, as well as receiving ISO 1400, OHSAS 18001 and TS 16949 Certification standards. From there, the company has continued to grow and expand, providing its customers with complete services across the entire value chain.

A key part in GSP’s success has been driven by the needs and demands of local markets. In Canada, extreme weather conditions [which are frequently tough on vehicles and components], led to the development of GSP’s Xtreem Duty (XD) CV axles, which have since become a bestseller in this country.

Complete undercar solution

Additionally, focusing on becoming a complete undercar solution has been a key driver for the company. In North America, GSP offers not only axles, but also steering and suspension components, as well as propshafts and Loaded Strut assemblies. “Ensuring our catalogue is meticulously created using OE data and customer feedback to address real market needs and solutions, has been foundational in our success,” explains Robert Murgado, Director of Product Management for GSP North America.

In Canada, GSP has continued to expand its footprint, not only by providing products tailored to local market conditions and that have been well-received by suppliers and service centres, but by additional support that the company provides, including the Garage Support Program.

More tools and resources

This initiative was designed to provide automotive service technicians, shop professionals and partners with more tools and resources so they can perform tasks more effectively. These include technical training, tools, tips for successful servicing, as well as marketing support. There’s also extensive product knowledge to help them understand why GSP is recognized as a leading CV axle manufacturer and highly suitable partner for service centres and their technicians.

Autumn Lamb notes that additionally, the Garage Support Program provides further support—all designed to represent the GSP brand at the service centre/garage level.

As GSP celebrates 40 successful years in business, the company is also looking to the future, identifying opportunities for new and enhanced product lines, as well as expansion of the Garage Support Program. This will include a new training platform for service professionals, with resources, tools, and Certified GSP Courses that will continue to expand across all product lines. “As we move forward, GSP will continue to develop courses and training materials to provide support for our partners,” explains Lamb. “Ultimately, our goal, as an organization, is to provide a complete undercar solution for our partners and the service professional.”