AION UT times two

Caloocan-based entrepreneurs Menchie and Christopher Galang bought a second GAC AION UT just two months after acquiring their first, turning the electric hatchback into separate vehicles for their photography business and family duties.

The couple, who run a photography and videography business, had been looking for an alternative as fuel costs increased. After considering options within the EV market, they chose the AION UT for its cabin space, features and operating costs.

Their first unit was purchased in July and was immediately put to work carrying cameras and other production equipment to shoots.

Christopher said the cabin had enough room for their bulky gear, while the car’s driver assistance and parking features proved useful during regular trips.

The AION UT also handled trips to Angono, Tagaytay and Batangas, including steep roads encountered on some shoots. Its Vehicle-to-Load capability gave the family another useful feature by allowing the vehicle to supply electricity to equipment at a work location.

The Galangs had been spending roughly P4,000 a week on fuel before switching to the EV, according to GAC Philippines.

As the AION UT began taking on more of their business and household travel, the couple found themselves deciding who would use it each day.

“We realized we were constantly competing over who got to take the AION UT for the day because it was just so comfortable and economical to drive,” Menchie said.

That led them to sell an underused gasoline-powered vehicle and purchase another AION UT two months after buying the first.

One is now used mainly for production work and carrying equipment between shoots, while the other handles school runs and other family trips.

The couple also charges the two EVs through their home solar system, reducing their dependence on fuel and grid electricity for everyday vehicle use.

Their experience gives GAC Philippines a real-world example of how the AION UT can serve more than one role in a household, particularly when a vehicle has to split time between work and personal travel.

The electric hatchback has a 440-liter cargo compartment, useful for equipment, luggage and groceries, while its compact dimensions are intended for crowded urban roads.

GAC lists a driving range of up to 400 kilometers for the AION UT and equips the vehicle with a battery system carrying IP67 and IP68 water-resistance ratings.

Owners can also use the GAC AION mobile application to remotely pre-cool the cabin, monitor charging and check vehicle diagnostics.

Safety has become another selling point for the model after it received five-star ratings from both Euro NCAP and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.

The AION UT received its Euro NCAP five-star rating in September, followed by a five-star ANCAP result on 12 October 2026. GAC said the certified safety specifications apply to the Philippine-market Elite variant.

Its body uses what GAC calls a Dragon-Bone high-strength steel structure and the Elite is equipped with seven airbags.

The AION UT Elite is currently offered at an introductory price of P998,000, down from its regular retail price of P1.068 million. The promotion runs until 31 December 2026 under DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269021 Series of 2026.

GAC Philippines provides an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer basic vehicle warranty for its EVs. The traction battery and electric drive system are covered for eight years or 200,000 kilometers.

The company also has 33 dealerships nationwide, a local parts warehouse and two years of roadside assistance.

For the Galangs, however, the decision to buy the same EV twice came down to how the first car worked in their day-to-day routine.

What began as a way to lower operating costs for their business became the vehicle they regularly wanted to use, eventually making a second AION UT the practical choice for the family.