GAC scores five stars: Aion UT passes tougher Euro NCAP tests

GAC Philippines’ Aion UT has earned a five-star rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme under its stricter 2026 testing rules , emerging as one of the first mass-produced Chinese brand models to pass the latest rounds of safety tests.

The vehicle earned its top-tier rating by delivering balanced excellence across all four key assessment stages: Safe Driving (66 percent), Crash Avoidance (74 percent), Crash Protection (91 percent), and Post-Crash Safety (88 percent).

Evaluating the hatchback against significantly stricter criteria, which place heavy emphasis on active safety, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and vulnerable road user protection, the AION UT proved its mettle on the global stage.

The model’s stellar performance is anchored by a robust “Dragon-Bone Embraced Body Structure,” where high-strength steel accounts for 71 percent of the body.

Key structural features include a one-piece hot-stamped dual-ring design, an extra-wide 180mm crash box, and a roof capable of withstanding up to 8 tons of load.

Inside its surprisingly spacious cabin, designed to deliver signature “Big Car Energy” despite its compact hatchback footprint, passenger protection is bolstered by an advanced 7-airbag system featuring a 2.1-meter V-side air curtain and a front far-side airbag to mitigate occupant-to-occupant impacts during side collisions.

Furthermore, the vehicle incorporates comprehensive active safety layers, including an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that surpasses legislative requirements, cyclist dooring prevention, and child presence detection (CPD).

“Earning the Euro NCAP Five-Star Safety Certification represents the ultimate endorsement from an authoritative international body for the AION UT’s uncompromised safety engineering,” Calvin Cheng, general manager of GAC Philippines, said.

“More than just an award, this milestone is a testament to our deep passion and commitment to empower and modernize mobility for Filipinos, bringing world-class safety and cutting-edge electric innovation right to local streets.”

The GAC AION UT’s latest global accolade aligns seamlessly with GAC’s core brand philosophy of consistently building around trust and innovation to deliver uncompromised safety and consumer protection, setting a benchmark for small pure-electric vehicles worldwide.

Reservations for the GAC AION UT are now open at GAC dealerships nationwide. The introductory pricing of P998,0002, is available until 30 September 2026.

Available in six distinct exterior finishes, including Champs-Elysees Beige, Emerald Green, Rococo White, Seine Silver, Twilight Lavender, and Two-Tone options for Rococo White and Emerald Green, the Aion UT is paired exclusively with sleek all-black interiors.

With manufacturing expertise shaped by over two decades of collaboration with Toyota and Honda, and growing strength in electrification and intelligent mobility, GAC brings together proven craftsmanship and next-generation technology — Where Craft Meets Technology.