Gasgoo Munich- The 91st Paris Motor Show kicked off on Oct. 12, and GAC Group used the stage to showcase six models across its three brands — Trumpchi, AION, and HYPTEC. The automaker also unveiled its European brand manifesto, "GAC. THE ENGINEERS," alongside a global service brand, GAC CARE+. Headlining the lineup was the AION UT Cross, a battery-electric crossover making its world debut.
Image Source: GAC
Developed chiefly at GAC's Milan design center, the AION UT Cross is pitched as a light-outdoor electric crossover. It rides on a 2,750-mm wheelbase, offers 440 liters of cargo space, and covers 400 km on the WLTP cycle. A 30% to 80% top-up takes 24 minutes. Tuned for European roads, the model also adds features like a roof rack.
AION UT Cross; Image Source: GAC
Yet the new model is only part of the story — GAC's deeper push to localize in Europe deserves the real spotlight.
Europe isn't just a key market for GAC — it's a strategic stronghold for the brand's global ambitions, said General Manager Yi Xianqing. Local production of the AION V and AION UT is already underway. An R&D center, slated to open in 2027, will gradually build a local engineering team of more than 100.
GAC plant in Austria; Image Source: GAC
On the retail front, GAC's European footprint already spans 30 countries. The automaker plans to open more than 180 sales and service outlets by the end of 2026, with a sharp focus on the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
After-sales support is another pillar of the strategy. The newly minted GAC CARE+ will launch first in Europe, offering three years of free roadside assistance, an eight-year/160,000-km vehicle warranty, and an eight-year/200,000-km battery warranty. Backed by a parts distribution hub in Rotterdam, GAC says it already fulfills over 95% of component orders, with shipments dispatched within 36 hours on average.
To boost its profile further, GAC has signed on as the official automotive partner of Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League.
GAC is clearly moving beyond simply exporting cars, weaving itself into Europe's R&D, manufacturing, retail, and service fabric. Still, breaking into a market with entrenched incumbents and cutthroat rivalry is no small feat. Whether this localization push translates into lasting sales and brand credibility remains an open question.
