On 27 July 2026, it became known that GAC AION would enter the Romanian market. The Chinese manufacturer’s local partner is Inchcape Romania, a company that also distributes Toyota and Lexus. Romania’s initial model range will consist of two electric vehicles: the midsize AION V crossover and the more compact AION UT hatchback.
For now, the announcement concerns the brand’s launch and the creation of sales infrastructure rather than the start of customer deliveries. Inchcape Romania will need to establish a national network of dealerships and service centres. As of 28 July 2026, Romanian prices, equipment levels, order-opening date and the schedule for initial deliveries had not been disclosed.
How GAC AION Reached the Romanian Market
The Romanian launch is part of GAC’s gradual expansion across Europe. The AION V arrived on the European scene earlier: on 8 September 2025, the manufacturer announced the crossover’s European launch at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. This date is stated in GAC’s official announcement.
The next step was local assembly. On 21 November 2025, GAC and Magna announced that series production of the AION V was already under way at Magna’s facility in Graz. The first production AION UT also rolled off the line there on 18 March 2026. The hatchback’s European premiere took place in Milan on 13 April, and on 28 May GAC announced its launch in Finland, Greece, Poland and Portugal.
Date | Event | What it means |
|---|---|---|
08.09.2025 | European launch of the AION V at IAA Mobility | The start of the model’s commercial rollout in Europe |
21.11.2025 | GAC and Magna confirmed series production of the AION V in Graz | European vehicles began to be produced in Austria |
18.03.2026 | The first production AION UT left Magna’s assembly line | GAC’s second European model entered mass production |
28.05.2026 | The AION UT launched in four European countries | The hatchback’s sales expansion beyond its initial presentations began |
27.07.2026 | GAC AION’s entry into Romania was announced | Inchcape Romania will handle importing, dealerships and servicing |
AION V: A Family Crossover with a 75.26 kWh Battery
The AION V is a five-seat, front-wheel-drive electric crossover measuring 4605 mm in length. Its wheelbase is 2775 mm, while boot capacity ranges from 427 to 978 litres depending on the position of the rear seats. The electric motor produces 150 kW (204 hp) and 210 Nm; the claimed top speed is 160 km/h.
In European specification, the AION V has an LFP battery with a capacity of 75.26 kWh and a WLTP range of 510 km. The manufacturer lists an 11 kW onboard AC charger and a peak DC charging power of 180 kW. Charging from 10 to 80% using direct current is claimed to take 24 minutes. These figures are provided on the official European AION V page; the specifications of the Romanian versions will need to be confirmed once they are published.
AION V Safety
On 8 September 2025, Euro NCAP published a five-star rating for the left-hand-drive AION V Premium. The crossover scored 88% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child occupant protection, 79% for vulnerable road-user protection and 78% for safety-assistance systems. Detailed results are available in the Euro NCAP test record.
Five stars do not mean identical performance in every scenario. For example, Euro NCAP rated the driver’s chest protection in a side-pole impact as moderate, while the performance of the automatic emergency braking system when facing pedestrians was rated as adequate. In a side impact with a moving barrier, however, the car received the maximum score.
AION UT: More Compact, but with a Long Wheelbase
The AION UT is a five-door electric hatchback measuring 4270 mm long, 1850 mm wide and 1575 mm high. Despite its shorter body, its wheelbase reaches 2750 mm—just 25 mm less than that of the AION V. Boot capacity is 440 litres with the seats raised and up to 1600 litres with the second-row backrests folded.
The European AION UT is equipped with a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor and an LFP battery with 60 kWh of usable capacity. Its claimed range is 430 km WLTP, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.3 seconds, and top speed is limited to 160 km/h.
AC charging is supported at up to 11 kW. At a DC charging station, peak power is 87 kW: the manufacturer claims 32 minutes for the 10–80% interval or 24 minutes for 30–80%. The European AION UT specification also lists a heat pump and a V2L function rated at up to 3.3 kW, allowing external electrical devices to be powered from the traction battery.
AION V and AION UT: Key Differences
Parameter | AION V | AION UT |
|---|---|---|
Body type | Electric crossover | Electric hatchback |
Length | 4605 mm | 4270 mm |
Wheelbase | 2775 mm | 2750 mm |
Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
Power | 150 kW (204 hp) | 150 kW (204 hp) |
Usable battery capacity | 75.26 kWh | 60 kWh |
WLTP range | 510 km | 430 km |
Maximum DC charging power | 180 kW | 87 kW |
Claimed fast-charging time | 10–80% in 24 minutes | 10–80% in 32 minutes |
Boot capacity | 427–978 litres | 440–1600 litres |
The table describes the pan-European versions available when this article was prepared. It does not replace the future Romanian price list: the importer may choose a different equipment package or adjust the specification of each trim level.
What Is Known About Sales in Romania
According to reports published by Romanian automotive and business media on 27 July, Inchcape Romania will be the official importer of GAC AION and will be responsible for developing the country’s dealer and service network. Launching two models at once makes it possible to address different audiences: the AION V is aimed at buyers who want a larger family body and greater range, while the AION UT is intended for those who value compact dimensions without a sharp reduction in cabin space.
The main commercial details remain unknown, however. Until the Romanian configurator is published, the following questions cannot be answered reliably:
how much the AION V and AION UT will cost, including taxes and any potential support programmes;
which trim levels and colours will be included in the initial range;
what warranty will apply to the vehicle and traction battery in Romania;
which cities will be the first to receive dealerships and service locations;
when orders will open and vehicles will be handed over to customers.
What to Check Before Ordering
WLTP range helps compare the two models under the same laboratory cycle, but it does not promise the same result on a motorway, in winter or during frequent short trips. Prospective buyers would be better served by waiting for Romanian road tests and checking consumption at 130 km/h, charging speed in cold weather and whether battery preconditioning is available.
The infotainment system also deserves attention. European specifications list wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation and remote functions through an app. Buyers should check which online services will work in Romania, whether the Romanian language is supported and for how long mobile data is included.
The first British road test of the AION V, published by Autocar on 27 July 2026, highlights the spacious cabin and quality of the interior finish but criticises the lack of physical buttons, the complicated screen menu and intrusive warnings from the electronic assistants. This is an assessment of a specific vehicle for the United Kingdom rather than a confirmed characteristic of the future Romanian version, but these are precisely the details worth checking during a test drive.
What GAC AION’s Arrival Means for Buyers
GAC AION is entering Romania with two electric vehicles in different formats rather than a single model, both benefiting from local assembly in Austria. The technical differences are already clear: the AION V is larger, has a longer WLTP range and accepts higher peak fast-charging power; the AION UT is 335 mm shorter, yet is almost as close to the crossover in wheelbase and offers a larger claimed boot capacity with the seats folded.
A final assessment will only be possible once prices, specifications, warranty terms and service coverage have been announced. Until then, comparing the models with competitors on total cost of ownership would be premature: the local price list and servicing terms will determine how convincing the European specifications of the AION V and AION UT are for Romanian buyers.
