GAC’s Aion brand launched the second generation Aion V at the Beijing Auto Show. This car was specifically designed as a global model and announced the brand’s plans to begin exporting. It seem however that exports have already begun using Aion’s existing models with cars already reaching Tajikistan and Nepal. By the end of this year the brand should be in 10 countries.
On May 22 a ceremony between GAC Aion, Tajikistan ECO Taxi and CJSC launched the GAC Central Asia export base. At the event GAC delivered the first batch of 1,000 Aion Y cars which is the first time GAC Aion has officially exported to Tajikistan. It seems however that 3,300 cars were delivered last year to Tajikistan ECO Taxi and CJSC which was the largest ever single import of new energy vehicles to Tajikistan.
GAC’s plan for Aion call for the establishment of seven global production and marketing bases covering Central Asia, West Asia, South-east Asia, the Americas, Africa and Europe to be established over the next two years. The Central Asia base in Tajikistan would appear to be the first or these and it will be used to construct channels in the country. Plans call for a subsidiary in Uzbekistan as part of plans to radiate from the Tajik market.
Also announced today was GAC Aion’s entry into the Nepalese market. Aion has now opened its first showroom in Kathmandu, which is the brand’s first overseas showroom. At the press conference in Kathmandu GAC announced that the first model to go on sale would be the Aion Y.
South-east Asia features quite heavily in GAC’s plans for the brand with car production factories in Thailand and Indonesia currently under construction. Aion will setup a subsidiary in Thailand.
The Aion brand has established full-stack development and production of the three core electric elements of its cars including batteries. It also has a closed loop industrial chain covering everything from raw materials, R&D, manufacturing to battery recycling at the end of life.
Editor’s note:
While the Tajikistan and Nepal market entries seem to be rather insignificant, they are the first baby steps on what within a year will be a much more significant journey for GAC’s Aion brand. As one of the more successful domestic brands it potentially stands to do well with exports. Obviously once the new Aion V enters production this should really help drive the export push.
