KATHMANDU: China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) will enter the Japanese EV market in summer 2026. The company will launch two Aion models: the compact Aion UT hatchback and the Aion V SUV, according to Nikkei.
Early sales in Japan will target corporate clients. GAC aims for 200 units in 2026 and plans to expand to 2,000 units in 2027.
The Aion UT will start at approximately USD 14,980, while the Aion V will begin at around USD 22,700. Both models will support Japan’s CHAdeMO fast-charging standard.
GAC launched the Aion brand in 2018 and sold 2 million vehicles in 2024, including joint-venture models with Toyota and Honda. The company is expanding globally with new markets in Southeast Asia, the UK, and now Japan.
As Chinese and Japanese brands expand their EV portfolios, competition in the Japanese market is set to intensify. BYD, present in Japan since 2023, continues to record steady growth in EV sales.
In Nepal, GAC Motor is distributed by CG Motors. The Aion Y and Aion V are already on sale. CG Motors is now preparing to introduce the new Aion UT electric hatchback to the Nepali market.
