Crafted with heart, engineered for a better life! On October 12, the 91st Paris Motor Show opened with great fanfare at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. GAC made a major appearance with the new-energy models of its three brand portfolios, and the AION UT Cross made its global debut. At the same time, the Europe-facing brand proposition "GAC. THE ENGINEERS" was officially launched, and the global service brand GAC CARE+ debuted first in Europe — marking GAC's entry into a new stage of full-chain localized development in Europe.
GAC Launch Event at the 2026 Paris Motor Show
At the press conference, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers Fu Bingfeng, Deputy président of CAPFM and Head of Automotive Mobility and Services Richard André Bouligny, President of Commercial at Chelsea FC Todd Kline, Level I Division Rank Official of Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology Su Xinhui, Director of Operations, COO, Paris Motor Show Xavier Mayeur, President of GAC Group Xia Xianqing, Vice President of GAC Group and Chairman of GAC International Chen Jiacai, President of GAC International Wei Haigang, and CDO, Head of GAC DESIGN Global of GAC Group Zhang Fan, together with other leaders and guests, gathered to witness a historic moment in GAC's development in Europe. Global top-tier supplier partners such as Bosch, Michelin, Valeo and ZF, as well as European dealer partners, also attended the event to discuss cooperation and development.
Group photo of guests at the GAC press conference at the 2026 Paris Motor Show
Group Photo with Supplier Guests at the GAC Press Conference, 2026 Paris Motor Show
On the day, the GAC booth was buzzing with visitors, with a reception robot warmly greeting guests and drawing crowds to stop and interact. Centered on six themed zones including "Smart Green Living," "Energy Ecosystem" and "Crafted Technology," the GAC booth systematically presented GAC's technical strength and its systematic global expansion capability through scenario-based, visual displays, conveying its long-term commitment to being rooted in Europe, putting customers first and pursuing green development.
Deepening Full-Chain Roots in Europe, Winning European Trust with Crafted Quality
"As the birthplace of the century-old automotive industry, Europe is not only the market GAC values most, but also a strategic stronghold for GAC as it goes global." Xia Xianqing articulated GAC's strategic positioning in the European market, and shared GAC's milestones and long-term plans for deepening its presence in Europe.
GAC Group President Xia Xianqing delivering a speech
Since the launch of the "Europe Market Plan" at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, GAC has consistently put localization into action "in Europe, for Europe," upholding a long-term commitment and win-win cooperation, and striving to build GAC into a brand Europe can trust. Over the past two years, GAC has steadily honored its promises with solid actions, with various plans accelerating their implementation in Europe and continuously consolidating the foundation of its development in the European market.
In R&D and design, the GAC Milan Design Center blends European forward-looking design with international aesthetics, taking innovative design from Milan to mass production and to the world. The GAC Europe R&D Center is scheduled to be completed and operational in 2027, progressively building a local engineering team of over one hundred people to deliver localized operations across the full value chain, from R&D to design.
In manufacturing, the AION V and the AION UT are already "Made in Europe," and both have earned Euro NCAP five-star safety ratings — truly "made in Europe, validated in Europe, crafted with heart for Europe." Meanwhile, GAC has established a parts distribution center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, building an efficient logistics network covering the whole of Europe to provide customers with more efficient and convenient after-sales service.
GAC Austria Plant
On the market-channel side, GAC's European channel network already covers 30 countries. Going forward, it will focus on the five core markets of the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, working with partners to continuously improve the channel network and planning to build over 180 sales and service outlets across Europe within the year, allowing more European consumers to experience GAC's products and services up close.
On energy ecosystem, GAC will build a green energy ecosystem covering three major scenarios — mobility charging network, home energy system and circular battery ecosystem. At the same time, it will actively implement European ESG regulatory requirements and further advance the "GLASS Green Plan" to protect the natural environment with concrete actions and promote the sustainable development of the industry.
GAC's green energy ecosystem
Full-chain localized development allows GAC to truly integrate into Europe and put down roots. But winning the trust of demanding European customers requires not only depth in localization, but also height in engineering quality. Since its founding, GAC has woven the pursuit of high quality into its brand DNA.
Building on the brand spirit of "Crafted by the Driven," Xia Xianqing officially launched GAC's Europe-facing brand proposition — GAC. THE ENGINEERS — at the Paris Motor Show, turning engineering capability into brand value customers can feel, and responding to the European market's high expectations for quality with an engineer's rigor and craftsmanship.
Over 29 years since its founding, GAC has invested more than RMB 67 billion in R&D, assembled an R&D team of over 8,500 people, and filed over 25,000 patent applications, building a global R&D footprint. It has also created a world-leading new-energy vehicle "Lighthouse Factory" and completed the world's first three-in-one wind tunnel laboratory with EU WLTP witness-testing qualification. At the same time, drawing on its accumulated cooperation with international partners such as Toyota and Honda, and on its continuous independent innovation, GAC has built a product matrix covering all powertrains and all segments, combining world-class reliability with China's leading intelligent technology. Every new model must pass "Five Extremes, One Mountain, One Dust" extreme-environment validation, with cumulative equivalent test mileage exceeding 13 million kilometers — all to bring global customers a high-quality, high-reliability, trustworthy mobility experience.
GAC CARE+ Officially Launched, Serving Europe with Round-the-Clock Care
"GAC not only delivers high-quality cars, but also roots unified service standards in each local market, so that customers can always count on trustworthy service when they need it." Xia Xianqing stressed in his remarks, and officially launched GAC's global service brand — GAC CARE+. The new service brand is built on the philosophy of "Always There, Always Care," with convenient service, assured quality, customer care and a smart ecosystem at its core, combining globally unified service standards with regionally customized services to cover the entire lifecycle of customers' car selection, purchase, use and maintenance.
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GAC's global service brand GAC CARE+
As the global launch market, Europe will be the first to take on the GAC CARE+ brand framework, elevating it from "basic service assurance" to "full-lifecycle value service," and delivering a high-quality, trustworthy mobility service experience to European customers.
In convenient service, GAC partners with Allianz Partners to provide free 3-year roadside assistance across all of Europe. Leveraging the Rotterdam parts distribution center, the parts order fulfillment rate exceeds 95%, with shipment within 36 hours on average. Professional service is delivered by an on-the-ground European technical service team, ensuring a 48-hour response to maintenance needs.
In quality assurance, GAC offers an extended warranty of 8 years/160,000 km for the whole vehicle and 8 years/200,000 km for the power battery, along with a 10-year unlimited-mileage anti-corrosion warranty and a 3-year unlimited-mileage paint warranty.
In customer care, GAC will be the first to launch a local-language call center in France, gradually covering all of Europe. It will continuously provide OTA software upgrade services for vehicles and organize owner activities that foster a sense of belonging.
In the smart ecosystem, the official app integrates remote vehicle control and other functions, allowing customers to resolve most of their car-related needs without leaving home. GAC also provides customers with home charging equipment that meets European standards, opening up home-charging scenarios and achieving seamless online-offline service integration.
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GAC energy replenishment ecosystem
"Good products win trust; good services keep trust." Wei Haigang emphasized the importance of service in going global. In Europe, GAC will continue to bring European customers even more thoughtful, efficient and high-quality services through standardized processes, localized responses, warm care and a smarter ecosystem.
AION UT Cross Makes Its Global Debut, Adapting to European Life with a Diverse, Smart and Fun Line-up
At this year's Paris Motor Show, GAC brought six star models from its three portfolios — GAC Motor, AION and HYPTEC — covering the full range of BEV, PHEV and HEV powertrains, and all vehicle segments from sedans and SUVs to MPVs. Among them, the AION UT Cross — built from deep insight into European mobility needs — made its global debut.
"One car that fits your whole life! That is the AION UT Cross." Wei Haigang officially unveiled this new model at the press conference. As a light-outdoor crossover EV, the AION UT Cross combines the flexibility of a hatchback, the spaciousness of an estate, and the strong off-road capability of an SUV, perfectly fitting European customers' mobility needs.
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President of GAC International Wei Haigang delivering a speech
Led by the Milan Design Center, the AION UT Cross features a rugged, sculpted exterior and a clean, practical interior that match European customers' aesthetic preferences. The newly added exclusive Cross kit, with wheel-arch cladding and a roof rack, further strengthens its sense of power and multi-scenario versatility.
AION UT Cross
Safety is at the core of the AION UT Cross. High-strength steel accounts for 71% of the body, and it is equipped with 7 airbags, including a class-leading 2.1-meter V-shaped curtain airbag, along with a Magazine Battery that has safely covered more than 160 billion kilometers — providing all-around safety protection for the whole family.
Space is the most delightful surprise of the AION UT Cross. It boasts the longest wheelbase in its class at 2,750 mm, with rear-seat space rivaling that of a luxury mid-size car. The trunk offers 440 liters, and with the rear seats folded down it becomes a fully flat space, complemented by 24 flexible storage spaces. Suitcases, camping gear, surfboards and bicycles can all fit with ease, fully meeting the multi-scenario loading needs of the whole family.
In driving dynamics, the AION UT Cross has been upgraded with chassis tuning tailored for European road conditions, fitted with 225 mm-wide tires for finer vibration absorption and a more premium ride quality. Even at full load, it retains 147 mm of ground clearance, letting it handle both city roads with ease and challenging suburban conditions with confidence. In range, the new model delivers 400 km on the WLTP cycle, with fast charging from 30% to 80% in just 24 minutes.
Going forward, GAC will introduce more global strategic models covering HEV, PHEV and EV powertrains to fully meet the diverse needs of the European market — offering the same GAC answer for different European lifestyles.
GAC × Chelsea, Football as a Bond to Get Closer to European Customers
GAC is not just selling cars in Europe — it wants to become part of European customers' lives. Football is the most influential sport in Europe, and the best bond connecting a brand with its customers on an emotional level.
On the afternoon of media day at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, the GAC × Chelsea global partnership signing ceremony was held at the GAC booth. President of Commercial at Chelsea FC Todd Kline, Commercial Partnerships Director Alex Smith, Chelsea legend Claude Makélélé, GAC Group President Xia Xianqing, GAC International Chairman Chen Jiacai, GAC International General Manager Wei Haigang, and Ma Haiyang, President of the GAC Europe Regional Center, attended the ceremony.
Chen Jiacai and Todd Kline took the stage as representatives of both parties to sign the strategic partnership agreement, witnessed on stage by Xia Xianqing and Makélélé, marking GAC's status as "official automotive partner" of Chelsea Football Club. Afterwards, Xia Xianqing and Claude Makélélé exchanged gifts — a GS7 car model and a signed Chelsea jersey — as souvenirs, and posed for photos to capture the highlight moment of this partnership ceremony.
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Vice President of GAC Group Chen Jiacai and Chelsea Football Club Chief Commercial Officer Todd Kline completed the formal signing ceremony; Xia Xianqing, President of GAC Group, exchanged gifts with Chelsea football legend Claude Makélélé
The ceremony was warmly received. Makélélé not only interacted enthusiastically with the car-owner representatives, but both sides also joyfully traded ball-juggling tricks, drawing bursts of applause. He then signed autographs for the robot "little fan" wearing the No. 4 jersey. Next, Makélélé personally experience a range of GAC new energy models. During the experience, Makélélé was full of praise for their performance in luxury, comfort and intelligence.
Previously, GAC had already become an official automotive partner of Villarreal CF. In Europe, GAC will use football as a bridge to craft brand experiences tailored to the local market and foster a closer emotional connection with European customers.
Moving Forward Anew, Opening a New Chapter of European Mobility with Systematic Strength
Returning to the Paris Motor Show, the world's premier automotive platform, is a demonstration of GAC steadily advancing its globalization strategy and continuously refreshing the "acceleration" of its global expansion. From the launch of the "Europe Market Plan" two years ago to the full-chain localized layout of R&D, production, channels and ecosystem today, GAC is forging a high-quality path of going global in Europe with its all-round systematic capability.
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Visitors experiencing GAC models at the booth
Looking ahead, GAC will uphold a long-term commitment, polishing products and technology with an engineer's spirit, delivering services and ecosystems grounded in deep local roots, and working with the European industry for win-win cooperation. It will deeply integrate into the local industrial ecosystem, improve its green energy ecosystem layout, and continuously create low-carbon, green and intelligent mobility value for European customers — contributing "Chinese strength" to Europe's sustainable development.