GAC Aion V launches in Europe at €35,990

This meant that the actual market launch was delayed by almost a year, during which time, however, the situation surrounding the EU’s initially proposed and later approved special tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars came to a head. Back in October 2024 at the Paris Motor Show, GAC had confirmed that the Aion V electric SUV would be the brand’s first model for Europe. A few models with French number plates were even available for test drives. You can read Robin Engelhardt’s impressions of the Aion V here.

GAC’s appearance at the IAA marks the long-awaited market entry. According to the Chinese company, the Aion V embodies core values such as “safe, environmentally friendly, intelligent and comfortable” and thus precisely meets the needs of European family users. With a wheelbase of 2.77 metres, the Aion V is roughly the same size as a VW ID.4, has achieved a five-star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test and has a battery that “designed not to ignite even under gunfire,” according to the press release – presumably referring to the nail penetration test, a test commonly used in China to assess the safety of electric car batteries.

At 4.60 metres long, the AIon V is in the mid-range SUV category. The car will initially be available in Europe with a 75.3 kWh battery offering a range of 510 kilometres according to WLTP. In China, larger and smaller batteries are also available. The battery can be charged relatively quickly; GAC states that the standard charging process from 10 to 80 per cent takes 24 minutes; electric SUVs from other Chinese manufacturers in a higher price range take longer.

GAC’s ‘European market plan’ envisages a gradual introduction. Sales are set to start in September in “Poland, Portugal, Finland and other countries.” The stated goal is to achieve “full coverage of the European market by 2028.” To this end, GAC is also establishing partnerships with European retail groups and, according to its own statements, has already secured dozens of sales outlets.

Of course, the GAC Solution encompasses not only the sale of new cars, but also service. The European spare parts distribution centre has now been opened in the Netherlands. In addition, a local technical support and service team has been set up, according to reports. Following the Aion V, the Aion UT is also set to go on sale in Europe; the model was exhibited at the IAA alongside the Aion V. However, there is no timetable for the launch yet.

In its official announcements, GAC does not comment on sales expectations for the Aion V in Europe. However, Wei Haigang, President of GAC International, did so in an interview at the IAA: Speaking to US broadcaster CNBC, the manager stated that GAC aims to sell 3,000 Aion V models in Europe this year, followed by 15,000 units in its first full year of sales in 2026. With increasing brand awareness and entry into further EU markets, this figure is expected to rise to 50,000 GAC models per year by 2027.

prnewswire.com (IAA), prnewswire.com (IAA), cnbc.com (interview)