Chine
Aion
Aion (埃安 in Chinese) is a Chinese brand of 100% electric vehicles. It was born within GAC New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., a company founded on July 28, 2017 as the dedicated new-energy-vehicle subsidiary of the state-owned manufacturer GAC Group (Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group), based in Guangzhou. The "Aion" name first appeared in 2018 as an electric sub-brand, with the first model, the Aion S, presented to the public at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November 2018. The entity was officially renamed GAC Aion New Energy Automobile in November 2020, marking its growing autonomy within the group. Its commercial rise was rapid: in 2023, GAC Aion produced roughly 480,000 vehicles and rose to become the world's third-largest manufacturer of all-electric battery vehicles, behind Tesla and BYD. Production nonetheless fell back to nearly 375,000 units in 2024, in an increasingly competitive Chinese market. In September 2022, the brand launched a high-end lineup named "Hyper," rebranded "Hyptec" in 2024, which brings together sportier, more luxurious models such as the GT sedan and the SSR supercar. On the industrial side, Aion operates its own plants in Guangzhou and, starting in May 2024, is gradually taking over a Changsha plant previously tied to Mitsubishi Motors, with a capacity of about 200,000 vehicles per year. The brand is also pursuing an active export strategy toward Thailand (local assembly launched in July 2024), Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, the United Kingdom, and several Gulf markets. In North America, Aion's presence remains limited: the brand is not officially distributed in Canada or the United States, and the Mexican market is its main regional foothold. For a Quebec buyer, Aion therefore remains an emerging brand with little local representation.
ActivePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideChinoises
History
History of Aion
Aion (埃安 in Chinese) is a Chinese brand of 100% electric vehicles. It was born within GAC New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., a company founded on July 28, 2017 as the dedicated new-energy-vehicle subsidiary of the state-owned manufacturer GAC Group (Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group), based in Guangzhou. The "Aion" name first appeared in 2018 as an electric sub-brand, with the first model, the Aion S, presented to the public at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November 2018. The entity was officially renamed GAC Aion New Energy Automobile in November 2020, marking its growing autonomy within the group. Its commercial rise was rapid: in 2023, GAC Aion produced roughly 480,000 vehicles and rose to become the world's third-largest manufacturer of all-electric battery vehicles, behind Tesla and BYD. Production nonetheless fell back to nearly 375,000 units in 2024, in an increasingly competitive Chinese market. In September 2022, the brand launched a high-end lineup named "Hyper," rebranded "Hyptec" in 2024, which brings together sportier, more luxurious models such as the GT sedan and the SSR supercar. On the industrial side, Aion operates its own plants in Guangzhou and, starting in May 2024, is gradually taking over a Changsha plant previously tied to Mitsubishi Motors, with a capacity of about 200,000 vehicles per year. The brand is also pursuing an active export strategy toward Thailand (local assembly launched in July 2024), Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, the United Kingdom, and several Gulf markets. In North America, Aion's presence remains limited: the brand is not officially distributed in Canada or the United States, and the Mexican market is its main regional foothold. For a Quebec buyer, Aion therefore remains an emerging brand with little local representation.
Public founding or origin of Aion.
Aion S: launch or first listed period.
Aion Y: launch or first listed period.
Hyper GT: launch or first listed period.
Hyper SSR: launch or first listed period.
S: launch or first listed period.
S Plus: launch or first listed period.
S Max: launch or first listed period.
LX: launch or first listed period.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Aion builds its vehicles on the dedicated AEP electric platform (notably AEP 3.0 for recent models), designed from the ground up for fully battery-electric architectures. The brand places a strong emphasis on battery safety with its "Magazine Battery" technology, which compartmentalizes the pack into thermally isolated cells to limit the propagation of a thermal runaway, as well as on "Sponge Silicon" (a "sponge" silicon anode) aimed at increased energy density and faster charging. Aion is also developing graphene batteries announced for fast charging. On the driver-assistance side, the ADiGO ecosystem integrates Level 2 to 4 functions (highway, parking, urban driving), and the brand is collaborating with DiDi on autonomous robotaxis. The electric powertrains range from modest outputs for family sedans up to more than 1,200 hp on the Hyptec SSR supercar, with a 900 V architecture.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A Chinese brand of affordable, accessible 100% electric vehicles, backed by the state-owned GAC Group, with a high-end Hyptec line.
Reputation
Aion has built its reputation mainly in China, where its affordable models (Aion S, Aion Y) are widespread in taxi and ride-hailing fleets, a sign of reliability considered solid in heavy-duty use. The brand is seen as a serious all-electric player, backed by a large state-owned group, rather than a marginal manufacturer. Outside China, its visibility remains low and its history too recent to offer independent long-term reliability data. Resale value is hard to establish in markets where Aion is not distributed, such as Canada. Reviews highlight a good range-to-price ratio, but a fit and finish and driving dynamics that are more utilitarian than premium.
Strengths
Aion offers an excellent range-to-price ratio in the all-electric space, supported by a dedicated AEP platform, safety-focused batteries (Magazine Battery), and the backing of a large state-owned industrial group (GAC). Its wide deployment in taxi fleets demonstrates robustness in heavy-duty use, and the lineup spans from the affordable vehicle all the way to the Hyptec supercar.
Points to watch
The main point of caution is the lack of official distribution in Canada and the United States: no dealer network, no parts, and no local warranty, which complicates maintenance and hurts resale value. The brand is young, with no verified long-term reliability record outside China, and its positioning remains more functional than premium on the entry-level models.
Models
Aion models
Current or active models by market
Aion S 2019 - actif berline EV Aion Y 2021 - actif VUS/MPV EV Hyper GT 2023 - actif berline EV Hyper SSR 2023 - actif supercar EV S 2019 - présent berline compacte S Plus 2021 - présent berline compacte S Max 2023 - présent berline compacte LX 2019 - présent VUS intermédiaire LX Plus 2021 - présent VUS intermédiaire V 2020 - présent VUS compact V Plus 2022 - présent VUS compact Y 2021 - présent VUS compact Y Plus 2022 - présent VUS compact ES 2023 - présent berline intermédiaire Hyper HT 2023 - présent VUS intermédiaire
Notable past models
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
GAC Aion produces mainly at its own facilities in Guangzhou (Guangdong province), including a dedicated smart plant and an operational battery plant. Starting in May 2024, the brand is gradually taking over a plant in Changsha previously associated with Mitsubishi Motors, with a capacity of about 200,000 vehicles per year. Internationally, an assembly site in Thailand started up in July 2024, and a plant in Indonesia is planned. In North America, Aion operates no assembly plant; its regional presence is essentially limited to the Mexican market, with no known local production. No plant or official distribution exists in Canada or the United States to date, which restricts access to the vehicles and to after-sales support.
Tires and wheels
Aion vehicles are compact-to-midsize sedans (Aion S) and compact SUVs (Aion Y), generally fitted with 17- to 19-inch wheels, like most EVs in their segment. As with any electric vehicle, their instant torque and added weight (battery) put more stress on the tires, which makes low-rolling-resistance tires worthwhile to preserve range. In Quebec, certified winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15; a dedicated winter set, ideally on affordable steel or alloy wheels, protects the original wheels from salt and calcium. In the absence of officially confirmed local dimensions, always verify the exact bolt pattern and diameter on the placard or in the manual.