Gasgoo Munich- GAC's AION UT has officially entered production at Magna's plant in Graz, Austria, Gasgoo reported on March 26, citing the Canadian supplier. The arrival of this model—the second to roll off the line there following the AION V—signals a deepening of the partnership’s localized European operations. It also provides fresh momentum for GAC’s expansion across the continent.
Image Credit: Magna
GAC Group and Magna first revealed their plans for European vehicle production on November 21, 2025. The move is a critical step for GAC to scale up local manufacturing in the region. It accelerates the electrification strategy and extends the company's reach in production, supply chains, and sales.
At the time, the company confirmed that mass production of its AION V electric SUV was already underway at the Graz facility.
Wei Haigang, general manager of GAC International, emphasized that Europe is a cornerstone of the group’s global strategy. By partnering with Magna, he noted, GAC can deliver locally assembled electric vehicles directly to European customers.
Magna’s Graz facility is renowned for operational excellence, boasting flexible assembly lines that can handle internal combustion, hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles simultaneously. Leveraging 125 years of automotive expertise, Magna has developed more than 40 models for clients, with global production exceeding 4 million units.
Notably, on September 15, 2025, Magna announced that XPENG, a Chinese smart EV maker, selected the Graz plant for two new models. Mass production is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2025. This marked the first time the facility has handled complete vehicle assembly for a Chinese OEM.
For nearly two decades, Magna has provided vehicle engineering services to Chinese automakers. Since 2018, it has also offered manufacturing and assembly services within China. The subsequent partnerships with GAC and XPENG in Europe extend this collaboration across continents, offering a vital roadmap for the global localization of Chinese EV brands.
