GAC Aion launched the Aion Y Plus and Aion ES in Vietnam on October 15 and delivered the vehicles to the first local owners.

GAC Aion, the electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of GAC Group, has entered the Vietnamese auto market, as it joins other local Chinese brands in ramping up overseas expansion.

GAC Aion opened its first showroom in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City on October 15, launching the Aion Y Plus and Aion ES models and delivering vehicles to the first local owners, according to an announcement today.

The Aion Y Plus is an SUV (sport utility vehicle) currently available in 13 versions in China, with a starting price range of RMB 99,800 ($14,000) to RMB 189,800.

The Aion ES, on the other hand, is a model built for overseas markets and is not available in the Chinese mainland.

The Aion ES starts at VND 788 million ($31,280) and the Aion Y Plus at VND 888 million in Vietnam.

GAC Aion's first showroom in Vietnam is located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, with functions including product experience, after-sales service, and charging facilities.

Currently, GAC Aion has established strategic cooperation with most charging service providers in Vietnam and will utilize its own charging facilities as well as those from its partners to serve consumers, it said.

The company will next equip all its sales outlets in Vietnam with DC and AC charging stations, it said.

GAC Aion is targeting the low-end and mid-range markets in China, and is focusing on Southeast Asia in its efforts to expand internationally.

On July 17, GAC Aion announced the opening of its factory in Thailand, its first overseas plant.

The plant has an annual production capacity of 50,000 units in the first phase, and would be expanded to 100,000 units in the future, enabling the production of various models including the second-generation Aion V, Aion Y Plus, and Hyper HT.

On September 16, GAC Aion opened its first flagship showroom in the Philippines and delivered vehicles to the first 10 local owners.

GAC Aion sold 35,780 vehicles in September, down 30.65 percent year-on-year but up 1.20 percent from August, according to data it released on October 1.

In the January-September period, the company sold 283,739 vehicles, down 19.16 percent year-on-year.

($1 = RMB 7.1259, $1 = VND 25,195)

GAC Aion opens 1st store in Philippines