Chinese state-owned automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has officially entered the European market with the launch of its first global model, the Aion V electric SUV. The debut took place at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, where the company presented five models.
The Aion V had previously been unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2024, but the Munich event marks the formal start of sales in Europe. Prices will begin at €35,990, with orders opening this month in selected markets — Poland, Portugal, and Finland among them. Belgium is not yet on the list, though its strong growth in electric vehicle adoption means it will most likely be included in the near future.
Five-star Euro NCAP rating
Positioned against the Volkswagen ID.4, the Aion V is a mid-size SUV designed for families. It offers a 2.77-meter wheelbase and a focus on comfort, with generous interior space and high-quality seating.
Under the skin, the car comes with a 75.3 kWh battery providing a WLTP range of 510 km. The system supports fast charging from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes, a figure that GAC claims beats several rivals in the same segment.
Much of GAC’s marketing pitch rests on safety. The Aion V carries a five-star Euro NCAP rating and uses what the manufacturer calls a second-generation “magazine battery,” which it insists will not ignite even under severe stress tests. The description is likely a nod to nail penetration trials, a benchmark often used in China, and a subtle reference to rival BYD’s Blade Battery.
Spare parts hub
To back up its entry, GAC is rolling out what it calls the “GAC Solution” — a package of warranties and support aimed at reassuring European buyers. This includes an eight-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/200,000 km battery warranty, along with a new spare parts distribution center in the Netherlands and the development of local service teams.
The Aion V’s arrival was delayed against the background of mounting trade tension. The EU tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars complicated GAC’s strategy, forcing the company to consider local production and hybrid variants as workarounds. As we previously reported, talks have taken place with Austrian contract manufacturer Magna Steyr regarding potential assembly in Europe.
Seventeen-fold increase
Alongside the Aion V, GAC displayed the Aion UT crossover, which is expected to arrive in Europe in early 2026. Also on show were the larger Hyptec HL SUV and two plug-in hybrids, the E9 MPV and GS7 SUV, highlighting the breadth of the group’s technology, even if not all of the models are destined for European roads.
Wei Haigang, president of GAC International, set out ambitious targets for the brand, telling news outlet CNBC that sales would reach 3,000 units in 2025 before climbing to 15,000 in 2026 and 50,000 a year by 2027. If achieved, that would mark a seventeen-fold increase in just two years.
