Just a few months after GAC launched in Australia with three models, the Chinese brand has confirmed that it will add another in the form of a small electric hatchback by mid-2026.
The 2026 GAC Aion UT will launch locally in the second quarter of this year (April-June), joining the already-launched Aion V mid-size electric SUV, Emzoom small petrol SUV, and M8 plug-in hybrid people mover.
Pricing and full specifications have yet to be confirmed, though GAC Australia president Kevin Shu says the Aion UT is another piece in the brand’s rapidly evolving local puzzle.
“Our strategy of ‘In Australia, For Australia’, will see GAC bring more than 10 models to the Australian market in the coming five years,” he said in a media statement.
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“The GAC Aion UT showcases the strength of GAC’s product portfolio, combining elegant design with clever technology that genuinely enhances the daily lives of its owners.
“I have no doubt this model will resonate strongly with Australians seeking an intelligent, city-focused vehicle to navigate the nation’s iconic urban landscapes. We look forward to continuing to grow along with our customers here in Australia.”
Designed in GAC’s Milan Design Centre, the Aion UT features a “sleek fastback design” characterised by a two-tone “floating roof”. It’s confirmed to ride on a 2750mm wheelbase, which means it’ll be roughly the same size as a Toyota Corolla hatch.
Pixel elements can be seen on the tail lights and front fog lights, and GAC claims the hatch “is equipped with the world’s first ‘eyebrow style’ headlamp design”.
Though no local interior images have been provided, overseas models are unsurprisingly fitted with a large central touchscreen, smaller instrument display, and minimal buttons, consistent with other GACs already available in Australia.
Overseas, the Aion UT is also available with a range of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, including small 34.8kWh and 44kWh options, though it seems likely Australian models will be fitted with one or both of the export-market 50kWh and 60kWh units – the largest-capacity options available.
The hatch has a claimed NEDC driving range of up to 500km, with a maximum power output of 150kW, depending on the spec. The Aion UT is mechanically related to the Aion V, sharing its platform with the mid-size SUV.
Importantly, that relationship means the Aion UT has some bones that meet Toyota’s high standards, as the Aion V is also sold by Toyota in China as the bZ3X. The electric SUVs were jointly developed by the Chinese and Japanese giants.
GAC Group, one of China’s largest vehicle manufacturers, has operated joint-venture projects with Toyota and Honda since 2004 and 1998, respectively.
That shared knowledge has assisted the development of GAC’s vehicles, including models that have made their way to Australia and have so far received relatively positive feedback from local media.
With pricing to be confirmed closer to the Aion UT’s local launch, we can look to China for an idea of where it’ll be positioned. There, the 44kWh battery option starts at 83,800 yuan, or roughly $18,000 in Australian dollars.
An Aion V comparable to the Australian specification, meanwhile, costs 128,800 yuan, or about $27,600.
That suggests the Aion UT could slot in under the Aion V (priced from $42,590 before on-roads) with a base price in the low-to-mid $30,000 range, and therefore pose a real threat to other Chinese electric hatches like the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and MG 4.
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