New Electric SUV from GAC: The Aion V
Unveiled alongside the Aion UT, the Aion V is GAC’s answer to the Tesla Model Y and Skoda Enyaq. This electric SUV made its debut at the Paris motor show last year and boasts a 224bhp motor paired with a 90kWh LFP battery, providing a generous range of 324 miles.
While GAC has not yet announced a UK launch date for the Aion V, Thomas Schemera, the chief operating officer at GAC Motor, has confirmed that it will be coming to the UK market “very soon”. The UK is part of GAC’s second wave of growth markets, following successful launches in Portugal, Poland, and Israel.
Schemera emphasized the importance of the UK market for GAC, especially due to the growing demand for electric vehicles. With EVs accounting for nearly one in five sales in the UK last year, GAC sees great potential in this region.
In addition to electric vehicles, GAC also plans to introduce a range of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and even traditional internal combustion engine cars to cater to a wider audience.
Exclusive Q&A with Thomas Schemera
What sets GAC apart from its rivals?
Schemera highlights GAC’s commitment to premium quality, citing their experience from joint ventures with Toyota and Honda. He emphasizes their focus on lean production and customer satisfaction as key differentiators for the brand.
What are your expectations for GAC’s European launch?
Schemera acknowledges the challenges of building brand awareness in a new market and emphasizes the need for investment and patience. He stresses that profitability may not come immediately but is a long-term goal for GAC in Europe.
Why headquarter your design operations in Milan specifically?
Schemera explains that Milan was chosen as the location for GAC’s design operations due to its reputation for creativity and design excellence. By being based in Milan, GAC aims to leverage the city’s design expertise to create innovative and stylish vehicles for the European market.
