Another Chinese auto giant confirms its Aussie plans! GAC to launch in October with EVs, PHEVs and hybrids. Top 10 sales are the goal
After some delays and replanning, the Chinese auto giant GAC will launch in Australia in October with a three-model line-up including a Tesla Model Y fighter.
But GAC – or Guangzhou Auto Group – plans to quickly expand to at least eight sharply-priced mainstream models in its local showrooms including three EVs by the end of 2027.
GAC’s ambitions are substantial, having set its sights on joining fellow Chinese brands BYD, GWM and MG embedded in Australia’s top 10 sellers as soon as possible.
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The arrival of GAC follows the cancellation of a deal for independent distributor AGA Auto to handle the business in Australia.
Under that plan GAC’s Aion EV brand was to launch in Australia alongside GAC itself, but that strategy has now been parked.
Instead, factory-owned GAC International Australia has been established to manage operations in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania.
Jason Pecotic, an Australian automotive industry veteran with strong China links has been appointed Chief Operating Officer.
Pecotic has been developing the 30-dealer launch network and the infrastructure to support GAC’s introduction for the last three months.
It is understood Pecotic is touring Australian dealer sites with a senior GAC International executive this week.
Under the new plan, models will be drawn from GAC’s three brands – Aion, mainstream Trumpchi and premium Hyptec – and sold together under the GAC badge in Australia.
The Aion V medium crossover EV (pictured top) will be part of the launch line-up along with the Trumpchi E9 plug-in hybrid people-mover and the ICE-powered Trumpchi GS3 Emzoom small SUV
Hyptec is not represented in the launch line-up. Previously known as Hyper, it is responsible for the production of the SSR hypercar.
The SSR is not part of the Australian line-up plans.
But GAC has confirmed an electric hatchback and hybrid/ICE SUV are due to be added to the line-up in 2026. In 2027 an electric SUV and a hybrid/ICE SUV are in the Australian launch schedule along with a ute.
A ute concept named the Pickup 01 was revealed at the Shanghai auto show last April.
One expected future arrival is the Aion UT small EV, which had previously been reported as coming to Australia under the old distributor arrangements. Another possible Aion is the small Y Plus, that is alreday exported to variuous markets in the region.
In China, the Aion V is powered by e-motors producing 150kW/240Nm or 165kW/240 fed by a choice of LFP battery packs. It sits on GAC’s AEP EV platform and has a 400V electric architecture.
In Australia, a 510km rated range is being targeted. Five star ANCAP safety ratings will also be a focus for GAC in Australia.
The Aion V measures up at 4605mm long, 1854mm wide, 1660mm high and has a 2775mm wheelbase.
Australian will get the second generation Aion V that launched in China in 2024.
The PHEV E9 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and e-motor for a combined 274kW/630Nm output.
State-owned GAC is ranked fifth in the Chinese auto market, with more than two million sales in 2024.
Its Australian arrival is part of a widespread international export expansion by GAC. Like its many Chinese rivals it is involved in a cut-throat sales battle at home and looking for more volume overseas.
GAC is ranked 181st on the 2024 Fortune Global 500 and has more than 80,000 employees.
GAC has partnerships with Honda and Toyota to build cars in China.
The Toyota link has given GAC access to the Japanese giant’s hybrid tech for its own vehicles, although whether that tech comes with GAC models in Australia is yet to be confirmed.
The linkage with Toyota and Honda will be a significant aid to GAC in establishing itself in Australia, a spokesman for the brand told EV Central.
“GAC has re-engineered Honda and Toyota into their own cars,” he said.
“They just don’t have the inherent or legacy problem that new or emerging brands have had coming into Australia.
“It’s like we’ve created another Toyota.”
