Electric Leap

GAC International charged into the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2025 with three new EVs and a clear message: the brand’s expansion in Southeast Asia is shifting into high gear.

Headlining the show were the AION V and HYPTEC HT—both officially launched for the Philippine market—alongside the local debut of the AION UT, a youthful compact EV that already found success in Thailand with 1,000 units sold in just over a month.

The AION V is built for everyday practicality, featuring GAC’s fireproof Magazine Battery 2.0 that delivers 520 km of range and can fast-charge from 30% to 80% in just 16 minutes. The larger HYPTEC HT takes a more luxurious route with electric gullwing doors, Nappa leather seats, and a Qualcomm-powered 14.6-inch HD display.

GAC also displayed the M8 PHEV and EMKOO HEV, expanding its hybrid lineup. These models represent the company’s “multi-path” electrification approach, offering drivers more ways to shift to cleaner mobility.

Senior Vice President Wang Shunsheng called the event a “landmark moment” for GAC’s Philippine operations. “We are introducing world-class electric vehicles that blend technology, safety, and practicality for Filipino lifestyles,” he said.

Through its “ONE GAC 2.0” strategy, the company is accelerating localization, ecosystem building, and partnerships in the Philippines. Since entering the market in 2018, GAC has opened over 30 dealerships nationwide and posted a 65% sales increase in 2024.

Calvin Cheng, General Manager of GAC International Philippines, said the focus is long-term: “We are not just launching models. We are building jobs, partnerships, and an EV ecosystem.”

To make EV ownership easier, GAC also unveiled an “Exclusive Launch Privilege Package” for the AION V and HYPTEC HT worth over ₱99,999 for only ₱999. It includes a wall charger, portable charger, tint, insurance, registration, and more.

With quality, technology, and ecosystem leadership as its pillars, GAC aims to create what Cheng calls an “electric future that is inclusive, sustainable, and distinctly Filipino.”