“Right from the start we have emphasised the ‘In Europe, for Europe’ concept, that means being in Europe and providing high-quality service for the European market,” he said.
As GAC continues to build a strong international presence, the automaker is squarely targeting the European market with smart, green and safer mobility, embodied by the AION V model which is spearheading the car maker’s European strategy.
Cutting-edge mobility
Billed as a boxy-styled intelligent driving SUV, the compact AION V boasts a long WLTP range exceeding 520 km on top of a fast-charging tech that makes a range of up to 255 km possible with a 15-minute charge (WLTP).
Those core functions are delivered along with a wealth of intelligent tech features designed to meet the needs of families.
The AION V therefore comes with gadgets including a remote controlled refrigerator that can double as a food heater and maintain food and drinks anywhere between -15°C to 50°C, plus a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Both bits of tech are voice and APP-control enabled.
Elsewhere in the spacious interior, the AION V’s seats are equipped with an eight-point massage feature to relieve fatigue on those long journeys.
When it comes to safety, the AION V is backed by a five-star global safety-rated body and innovative side airbags with a head protection chamber for children that meet Euro NCAP five star safety standards.
In a fiercely competitive market GAC hopes the AION V’s eyecatching features will successfully woo European customers and demonstrate the innovation power of China’s automotive industry.
European commitment
Together with technological breakthroughs in mobility, GAC sees its full-industry chain ecosystem approach in Europe as crucial for becoming a reliable and respected brand in Europe.
“This ‘In Europe, for Europe’ concept does not only show itself in our products like the AION V we are showing that specifically targets European customers, we have also focused on making sure our factories and whole service system meet European standards so our customers can drive worry-free,” Wei said.
GAC is now keenly focused on proving itself as a trusted partner for Europe and showing its readiness to offer a high-quality customer experience.
As part of this effort, GAC’s Europe push has drawn on lessons learned from its decades-long collaboration with Honda and Toyota, partnerships which it expects will demonstrate to European customers its reputation for trustworthiness.
GAC’s appearance in Munich also comes on the back of a flurry of moves in Europe. Last year saw the opening of its European head office in Amsterdam, while this year GAC welcomed the launch of its joint venture with Jameel Motors in the United Kingdom.
“Over the past year, from the Paris motor show to IAA Mobility in Munich, we have put our ‘In Europe, for Europe’ concept into practice with concrete actions, and we will keep this up going forward to stay true to our commitment,” Wei said.
Green innovation
To respond to Europe’s environmental concerns and wider shifts towards sustainability, GAC has developed a GLASS (Green, Low-carbon, Achieving, Sustainable, Success) initiative with ambitious targets.
Under GLASS, the manufacturer has made commitments including a goal of full lifecycle carbon neutrality by 2050 in a sign of its recognition of key climate goals.
The automaker has also pledged to ensure that new energy vehicles make up half of all sales of its proprietary brand models by 2025.
GAC is also actively exploring other green measures including zero-carbon factories and industrial parks for more sustainable manufacturing, as well as consumer carbon accounts.
