GAC Aion

GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., trading as GAC Aion (Chinese: 广汽埃安; pinyin: Guǎngqì Āiān) is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Guangzhou, China. A subsidiary of GAC Group, it was established in 2017 as the GAC New Energy Automobile. Its current name was adopted in November 2020. It produces battery electric vehicles under the eponymous Aion brand and the Hyper brand.

GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd.
Native name
广汽埃安新能源汽车股份有限公司
FormerlyGAC New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutomotive
Founded28 July 2017; 6 years ago (28 July 2017)
Headquarters,
China
Area served
  • China
  • Southeast Asia
ProductsElectric cars
Production output
Increase 480,003 vehicles (2023)
Brands
  • Aion
  • Hyper
ParentGAC Group
SubsidiariesHycan (20.54%)
Websitewww.aion.com.cn

In 2023, GAC Aion is the third-largest battery electric vehicle brand after Tesla and BYD Auto, both in China and globally by producing 480,003 vehicles.[1]

History

GAC New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. was established on 28 July 2017 as a subsidiary of GAC Group to develop connected new energy vehicles.[2] Aion was introduced as an electric vehicle sub-brand under GAC New Energy in 2018. The first model, the Aion S, was shown to the public in November at Auto Guangzhou.[3] In 2019, GAC announced 12 new models, which eventually included the LX, V, and Y.[4]

An Aion showroom in a mall in Shenzhen

In November 2020, GAC New Energy was renamed to GAC Aion, and became an independent operation separate from other GAC operations.[5]

In 2021, GAC Aion announced that the Aion V would be equipped with a graphene battery that can charge from 0 to 80% in 8 minutes, adding 70 kWh of charge.[6] In 2021, GAC Aion announced A480 charging station, 480 kW, 1000 V. 35.1kWh (30-80%) charge to the new Aion V 6C in less than 5 minutes and 0-80% charge in 8 minutes.[7]

In September 2022, GAC Aion revealed a new brand logo. The company also introduced a new premium brand called Hyper (Chinese: 昊铂; pinyin: Hàobó) and its first product, the Hyper SSR.[8][9] October 2023 GAC Group announced that they will take over 100% of the plant in Changsha, which has been joint been operated with Mitsubishi Motors. From May 2024 they will the plant will have a annually capacity 200.000 EV's for the AION brand.[10]

Overseas markets

GAC Aion entered the Thailand market in September 2023 by launching a right-hand drive Aion Y Plus in the country. The company will begin assembly of electric cars in Thailand by June 2024.[11][12]

In November 2023, Aion vehicles went on sale in Mexico together with other GAC Motor vehicles.[13]

In January 2024, company entered the Hong Kong market, and started previewing its product in Malaysia.[14][15]

In April 2024, GAC Aion announced its entry to Indonesia with local partner Indomobil Group. Indomobil will invest in a local manufacturing plant to assemble Aion vehicles.[16][1]

Products

Current models

ImageNameIntroductionCurrent ModelGenerationBody StyleNotes
Sedans
Aion S20192023First4-door compact (C) sedanAlso sold as Leahead iA5.
Aion S Plus20212023First4-door compact (C) sedanFacelifted and enlarged variant of Aion S
Aion S Max20232023First4-door compact (C) sedan
Hyper GT20232023First4-door Executive sedan (E)
Sports car
Hyper SSR20232023First2-door Sports car (S)
SUVs
Aion V20202024Second5-door compact (C) SUV
Aion LX20192022First5-door mid-size SUV (D)
Aion Y20212022FirstCompact (C) SUV
Hyper HT20232023First5-door mid-size (J)

Hycan

In 2019, GAC and Nio announced the establishment of a new joint venture, GAC-Nio, to produce Hycan brand electric vehicles. This joint venture produced two vehicles, the Hycan 007 and Hycan Z03, both based on existing Aion vehicles (the Aion LX and Aion Y, respectively). In 2021, the joint venture changed its name to Hycan.[17]

Sales

Calendar yearS[18]LXVYTotalNotes
201932,1261,341--33,467S sales start in May
LX sales start in October
202046,1412,74510,709-59,595V sales start in June
202169,2201,00415,82632,109118,159Y sales start in April
2022115,6553,99131,826119,689271,161
2023480,003[19]

See also

References