Navigating Philippine roads calls for a car that can effortlessly keep pace with a fast-paced routine. Whether tackling peak-hour traffic, navigating narrow city alleys, or taking a weekend road trip out of town, modern drivers need a vehicle that balances style, comfort, and practical usability. Crafting a solution tailored for high-density urban driving, the all-new GAC AION UT delivers an approachable blend of compact agility and big-car practicality.
A Two-Car EV Garage: How the AION UT Works for the Galang Family
Beyond feature lists, the hatchback is already proving its practical value in the daily lives of local business owners and growing families.
For Caloocan-based entrepreneurs Menchie and Christopher Galang, who run a photography and videography business while managing family life with their kids, switching to electric mobility transformed their daily operations. Prompted by rising fuel prices, they sought an efficient alternative and chose the GAC AION UT for its space, value, and smart features after exploring various options in the EV community.
“The performance is really impressive, and the space inside is incredible; it easily accommodates all our bulky photo and video gear,” shared Christopher Galang. “The advanced driving assistance and parking features bring so much convenience to our everyday trips.”
Impressed by the car’s smooth handling on steep inclines during shoots in Angono and family trips to Tagaytay and Batangas, as well as its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability to power equipment on location, the couple bought their first AION UT in July. The convenience and dramatic savings, cutting weekly fuel costs down from roughly PHP 4,000, were so convincing that they sold off an underutilized gas vehicle and purchased a second AION UT just two months later.
“We realized we were constantly competing over who got to take the AION UT for the day because it was just so comfortable and economical to drive,” recalled Menchie Galang. “Buying the second one just two months later was the most logical step for our family and our business.”
What started as an upgrade for production logistics quickly redefined their entire daily routine. Today, one AION UT serves as their primary workhorse for hauling heavy production gear across shoot locations, while the second seamlessly handles family duties, from morning school runs to daily city errands. By pairing up their 2 AION UTs with a home solar setup, the Galangs have created a self-sustaining, cost-effective ecosystem, powering both their business fleet and personal transport virtually fuel-free.
Big Car Energy, Built for Everyday Local Driving
Designed with clean contours, balanced proportions, and a friendly road presence, the hatchback maximizes interior room by pushing its wheels out to the corners. This creates a surprisingly roomier, lounge-inspired cabin with a generous 440-liter boot, effortlessly accommodating weekly grocery runs, luggage, or bulky work equipment.
The AION UT seamlessly adapts to Philippine road realities with an ultra-tight turning radius for navigating crowded streets and IP67/IP68-rated waterproof battery protection against monsoon floods. Driving ease is paired with smart digital features via the GAC AION Mobile App for remote cabin pre-cooling, charging tracking, and vehicle diagnostics, alongside a stress-free 400 km driving range that slashes daily running costs by up to 75 percent compared to gas vehicles.
Underpinning this everyday versatility is world-class safety engineering. The GAC AION UT was awarded a maximum five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety rating on October 12, 2026, building upon its five-star European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) safety rating awarded earlier in September 2026. This solidifies the model’s dual five-star safety standing across two of the world’s most stringent automotive testing bodies. Built around a high-strength “Dragon-Bone” steel structure with a 7-airbag system, the AION UT’s certified safety standards fully apply to the Philippine Elite variant, giving local owners verified, global-standard protection on every trip.
The all-new GAC AION UT Elite is available at GAC dealerships nationwide starting at an introductory price of PHP 998,000 (from the regular retail price of PHP 1,068,000; promo extended until December 31, 2026 under DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269021 Series of 2026). Every unit is backed by GAC Philippines’ comprehensive ownership support, including an 8-year or 160,000 km basic vehicle warranty alongside an 8-year or 200,000 km warranty covering the traction battery and electric drive system.
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.
GAC Philippines supports its owners through a nationwide network of 33 dealerships, a dedicated parts warehouse, two years of free roadside assistance, and tailored warranty coverage. ICE models (EMZOOM and All-New GN6) include a 5-year or 150,000 km warranty, whichever comes first. EV models (HYPTEC HT, AION UT, and AION V) carry an 8-year or 160,000 km basic warranty, along with an 8-year or 200,000 km plan for the traction battery and electric drive, applicable up to the specified milestone. PHEV and HEV models (GS4 Max HEV, E8 HEV, GN8 PHEV, and GS8 HEV) offer a 5-year or 150,000 km basic warranty, complemented by an 8-year or 150,000 km policy covering the power battery, driving motor, and motor control unit.
To explore the lineup or book a test drive, visit a GAC dealership near you or check out gacgroup.com/en-ph/test-drive. Follow @gacmotorph on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
