GAC Philippines gathered its dealer network in Makati City on 27 February as it moved into a new phase of operations in the country.

The 2026 dealer conference was the first held under GAC International Philippines Inc., now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the brand’s global headquarters. Company officials said the shift places local operations under direct management from China, with the goal of tightening coordination and improving support across the network.

Dealer principals and representatives from Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao attended the event. A dealer agreement signing took place during the program, with participants taking the stage in batches.

Steven Wang, senior vice president of GAC International, addressed the dealers during the conference. He said the move to self-operation reflects strong confidence in the local market. He added that the company plans to invest more resources and strengthen its local team to support partners across the country.

Under the new structure, GAC Philippines said it aims to streamline parts supply and after-sales support. A local spare parts warehouse in Manila now stocks more than 3,000 types of components.

The company said this has improved repair efficiency by over 50 percent. Fuel vehicles come with a five-year or 150,000 kilometer warranty, while electric vehicles are covered for eight years or 160,000 kilometers. New vehicles also include two years of roadside assistance.

The conference served as a preview of GAC’s expanding lineup for 2026. Dealers were shown models that will soon reach local showrooms. The list includes the GS8 HEV, AION UT, HYPTEC HT, AION V, AION Y Plus, E8 and GN8 PHEV. The range covers gasoline, hybrid, and full electric vehicles.

The GS8 HEV drew particular attention during the presentation. The seven-seat crossover runs on a 2.0-liter turbo hybrid powertrain paired with the Mega Wave THS system. The hybrid system produces 40 kW and 121 Nm of torque. Company officials said the setup aims to balance fuel efficiency with steady power delivery.

GAC Philippines said the GS8 HEV will start accepting orders in March 2026. Pricing and full specifications will be announced closer to the retail launch. A limited edition version of the model is also in the pipeline.