GAC Motor reinforces their green strategy in the Philippines by bringing in not just a new car, but a new brand. Under the theme “GAC Global Ecosystem - Leading a new era of green mobility in the Philippines,” GAC called for backup with the arrival of Aion.
Unlike the main GAC Motor brand which is distributed by Astara Philippines, Aion is brought in directly by GAC International Philippines. It was previously distributed by Dangdang New Energy Auto Service (Philippines) Limited Corporation. At the helm of GAC International Philippines is Calvin Cheng (General Manager), Reginald Go See (Chief Brand Officer), and Lincoln Lan (Head of Sales and Marketing).
Aion brought three cars with them as part of their initial line-up.
The Aion V is a compact EV crossover that will be in the same arena as the BYD Atto 3 and the Geely EX5. It has subtle aggression in its design with its squarish silhouette but has a claw like aesthetic on the DRL and taillights. There’s also a beefy roof rail on top giving it an outdoorsy vibe.
Inside is a minimalist cabin. The steering wheel has only two spokes and their center console only has a wireless charger and 2 cup holders - no shifter. There’s no buttons anywhere on the dash so most controls will be on the massive touchscreen at the center of the dashboard.
The Aion V has GAC’s Magazine Battery 2.0 that they say is fireproof even under direct impact. It has a CLTC range of 520 km and can go 30 to 80 percent in only 16 minutes of DC charging. The ride is supposed to be comfortable as GAC claims it has a suspension “tuned for Philippine roads.” The Aion V will start at P 1,498,000.
Stealing the show is the Aion Hyptec HT. This fastback crossover has a second row with Gull-Wing doors for extra style points when you valet the car. The exterior design seems to be inspired by a Porsche Cayenne from a previous generation. Only this has a different LED pattern both front and back.
The cabin is dominated by cream colors with a slightly different layout than the Aion V. The digital instrument screen is placed further at the dash, while the center console is a lot neater. Upholstery is also impressive with Nappa leather, with the front passenger seat having cooling, heating, and massage functions.
The Hyptec HT has the same Magazine battery 2.0 as the V, but this one can go for 670 kilometers of CLTC range. It also boasts of a “submarine-grade” high-strength hot-formed steel. It will start at P 2,260,000 putting it in the same arena as the Tesla Model Y.
Both cars will come with 160,000 km or 8-year vehicle warranty, and another 200,000-kilometer or 8-year warranty for the battery, electric motor, and electric control system. GAC also offers an Exclusive Launch Privilege Package for buyers of the AION V or AION Hyptec HT. You will get P 99,999 worth of freebies for only P 999. This includes a 7-kW wall charger, portable charger, vehicle tint, car cover, floor mats, charging credits, 3-year LTO registration, 3-year TPL insurance, 1-year PMS, and P 10,000 cash discount.
GAC also brought in a third car. However, this one isn’t “official” yet. The smaller Aion UT also graced their booth and garnered a lot of interest. This looks like a rival to the GWM Ora or the Dongfeng Nammi. It has 500 kilometers of range, 30 to 80 percent DC charging in 24 minutes only, and comes with a complete set of Advanced Driver Assist System. There’s no price and launch date yet for the UT though.
Words by Vincent Villa
They need to sell these Aion EVs at Astara operated GAC car dealerships instead of selling it exclusively at the GAC Aion Makati dealership owned by Dangdang New Energy which still refuses to spend on massive dealership expansion in the Philippines
ReplyDeletewill the dangdang dealerships be integrated to the new distributor?
ReplyDeleteDangdang only own 1 GAC Aion car dealership in the Philippines which is located at Makati where the 1st Ford Makati car dealership started and then it became a Jeep,Dodge and Chrysler dealership.
DeleteChina car companies should stop with the sub branding. It is already a challenge for them building brand equity and identity because they are new to the market. Adding sub brands creates more confusion for most and diminishes the brand. Wait for the mother company to be a household name and then introduce a sub brand.
ReplyDeleteAion is the only sub brand of GAC
DeleteHyptec is other foreign alternative name of GAC
Trumpchi vehicles are considered GAC Motor vehicles
Having sub brands allows big companies to operate more smoothly in different categories compared to being too centralized and micromanaging too many teams at once. That's one area where you shouldn't tell them how to do their job. lol
DeleteAlso, one of the (if not THE) most important thing about brand awareness is visibility so just being around (ideally with no major complaints) will be the only way for them to grow, regardless of short (or even medium) term sales.
Normal people don't read articles like these on the internet. They aren't gonna know that X is a sub brand of Y but they will know that they have seen cars from X on the road for a while (albeit if rarely) and that would be enough to get some curious.
We're not their home market. They don't need to wait to become a household name first. There's a big difference between growing in your 1st/home market vs expanding operations overseas. There may be other different (slower) approaches they could adopt but if they have the capital then the approach they're taking is fine from a business perspective.
Too many Chinese car brands already it’s confusing and in time many will fold up leaving buyer's to source parts and find who can service it.
ReplyDeleteBuyers beware...buy at your own risk
DeleteChery and Geely prefer running too many sub brands
DeleteChinese car buyers prefer having multiple choices
If the brand is a sub brand of a much larger group (Geely, SAIC, BYD) then the chances of them folding is not an issue. On that really low chance that it happens, then it will be just like another brand discontinuing a specific (or group of) car model of theirs. Parts will still be around since these big companies share as many parts as possible to reduce development/manufacturing costs. Even the batteries won't be an issue since it's only either gonna be a CATL or a BYD battery on them. Plus, the main companies will assume the warranty obligations from the older companies (they have to or it will look bad).
DeleteIt's really not meant to be confusing because you aren't expected to know all of them. They know the average person won't. That's why they're fighting for your attention. Once you've locked on one that has you curious, then you do your research.
Main companies will assume the warranty if closed sub brands? LOL you can searched what happened to china car brands to russia. Here in PH even the china cars main brand already looking bad for bad after sales, and you think they will care for warranty of closed sub brands? Sorry but records proved otherwise, ni wala nga china car brands dito pinas na nag issue recall.
DeleteReal thing. Japanese, Korean car brands, even European car brands issue recalls. Never heard it happen from a Chinese brand yet in the Philippines.
DeleteYour records are based on things that happened in...Russia? This has already happened here somewhat with Maxus being droppped and SAIC committing to continued servicing. So, gtfo here with your stupid example. lol
DeleteCommited? Maybe what you mean is omitted. all china car brands here besides having low quality have notorious after sales service, how much more yong namatay na na brand🤣🤣🤣
DeleteDi nga maayos ng main brand sarili nilang after sales ang sub brand pa kaya nila na pumanaw na
DeleteKahit low quality or sinasabi niyong 'di maayos' as long as na provide that still counts🤦♂️
DeleteHirap talaga reading comprehension sa Pinas 🤣
(and lol at the cute attempt at wordplay, at least I'm referring to locally reported official news and not from the heavily sanctioned "currently-conducting-an-unjustified-war" Russia - they can get bent for all I care 😂)
Nice colors but don’t know it they can match the finish if it repaired / repainted
ReplyDeleteAion na nga ba yung sinasabi ko na magsisilabasan ng madaming brands at models mga Chinese automakers. Ibang iba strategy nila as compared to the Japanese. Improve muna ng Chinese yung aftermarket service nila.
ReplyDeleteYou can do both at the same time. Not sure if that will happen but each new dealership is gonna have new staff trained and more parts storage for their network.
DeleteGreat to see GAC established their own local distribution vehicle business operations in the Philippines similar to what Geely and SAIC MG did already.
ReplyDeleteGAC car dealerships in the Philippines will all sell GAC PHEV,Hybrid and Aion/Hyptec EV vehicles starting January 2026.