Aion Philippines unveils flagship Makati dealership; Ushers in smart, green electric mobility for a sustainable future

One of the World’s Top 3 Electric Vehicle Brands Introduces a Revolutionary Driving Experience in the Philippines

MAKATI CITY | September 16, 2024 – AION, a global leader in electric vehicles (EV), officially makes its debut in the Philippines today with the grand opening of AION MAKATI, its flagship showroom in Makati City. With this milestone, the brand brings a commitment to cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and luxury, poised to redefine the electric mobility experience for Filipinos.

In partnership with Dangdang New Energy Auto Service (Philippines) Limited Corporation as its national distributor, AION is set to deliver exceptional service and support to Filipino customers through vehicles that offer intelligent design, world-class features, and unmatched performance.

Located at 2287 Chino Roces Extension Avenue, Makati City, AION Makati is the first AION dealership in the country and sits on a 1,420 square meter property. The facility features a spacious showroom that can accommodate six display units, a vehicle magazine display, an electric vehicle platform and an after sales service area.  The dealership has four electric vehicle charging stations, two of which are fast chargers. It is also the first dealership to have an indoor giant LED wall in their showroom.

The inauguration was formally opened with a ceremony led by management executives of AION Philippines, highlighted by the unveiling of the AION Y PLUS and the AION ES, the brand’s first two models to be sold in the market.

AION EXECUTIVES AT THE INAUGURATION OF AION MAKATI
(from left to right) Wang Shaobo, Regional Sales Manager of GAC AION Southeast Asia; Ding Zhiwei, Regional Sales Director of GAC AION Southeast Asia; Jin Rongbo, Sales Director of GAC AION Southeast Asia; Chen Yi, President, Hong Kong Zhilian New Energy Vehicles; Guo Nan, National Representative, Dangdang New Energy AION Philippines; Anton Ibarle, General Manager, Dangdang New Energy AION Philippines

The AION Y Plus is a spacious and stylish SUV, designed for families who prioritize luxury and performance, while boasting an impressive driving range. For urban commuters and those looking for an energy-efficient option for long-distance travel, the AION ES is a sleek sedan that delivers both style and efficiency. Looking ahead, AION Philippines plans to introduce additional models based on local demand, ensuring that every Filipino driver has the opportunity to experience the future of mobility.

Mr. Anton Ibarle, general manager of AION Philippines shared, “Our goal is not merely to introduce vehicles to the Philippines, but to provide a smarter and more sustainable lifestyle. AION’s cutting-edge technology and eco-conscious solutions are perfectly suited to the evolving preferences of Filipino consumers who prioritize luxury, intelligence, and sustainability.”

Ibarle further added, “We warmly invite everyone to visit our new flagship dealership in Makati to experience the future of mobility firsthand. Explore the 2025 AION Y PLUS SUV and the AION ES sedan, the most affordable electric passenger car sedan in the market today.”

Mr. Ding Zhiwei, Regional Sales Director of GAC Aion Southeast Asia shared in his speech, "AION is a world-class intelligent electric vehicle company created by the GAC Group, a Fortune 500 company, and a key driver of the group’s transformation towards electrification, intelligence, connectivity, and shared mobility. It ranks among the top three global new energy vehicle manufacturers. In 2023, we achieved a total sales volume of 480,000 vehicles, reflecting a 77% year-over-year growth, and set a new world record by surpassing one million cumulative production and sales units in just 4 years and 8 months.

“GAC AION is committed to technological innovation and is the first automaker globally to achieve full-stack self-research in EV and ICV technologies. We have pioneered several ‘firsts, leading, and exclusive’ core technologies, including a world-leading dedicated electric platform, a bullet-proof magazine battery that does not catch fire, the high-power-density Quark electric drive, and the Star Spirit architecture that supports L4 autonomous driving. Additionally, we have built a self-researched supply chain for batteries, electric drives, and energy, making us one of the few automakers in the world with a complete industry chain.

“GAC AION is accelerating its global expansion strategy and has already entered markets in nine ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia. In the future, we will establish seven global production and sales bases across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. The Philippines, as the fourth-largest automotive market in ASEAN, has a large population and immense potential. From January to June this year, the passenger car market here achieved a 17.8% year-on-year growth despite challenging circumstances. Additionally, the Philippine government has launched the ‘National Electric Vehicle Development Roadmap’ to encourage and support new energy development, giving us great confidence and anticipation for the Philippine market.

“The AION Y Plus, known for its spacious design, long range, and sleek look, reflects GAC AION’s commitment to delivering high-end, innovative new energy vehicles. The brand aims to contribute to the local EV industry’s development and offer Filipino consumers top-tier, sustainable transportation solutions.

“We firmly believe that, with everyone’s joint efforts, GAC AION will achieve even greater success in the Philippine market! Finally, once again, thank you to all the guests and media friends for your presence and support! Let’s work together to create a bright future!”

FIRST DAY HIGHLIGHTS: CAR DELIVERY & DEALER AWARDS
A major attraction of today’s event was the car delivery ceremony where ten (10) new AION customers received the keys to their electric vehicles in an exciting handover moment.

TEN NEW AION CUSTOMERS HONORED WERE HONORED AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF AION MAKATI.

Adding to the excitement, AION Philippines also recognized its three confirmed dealer partners with an official Award Ceremony. These key partners— AION Bacolod, AION Cagayan de Oro, and AION Davao — are poised to play a pivotal role in expanding AION’s presence across the country.

These ceremonies signify the growing momentum behind AION’s entry into the Philippine market, with a strong focus on building a robust network of dealerships and satisfying the high demand for premium electric vehicles.

THREE AION DEALER PARTNERS CONFIRMED
General Manager of AION Philippines Anton Ibarle (leftmost) joined representatives of three confirmed dealer partners -- AION Bacolod, AION Cagayan de Oro, and AION Davao – in an awarding ceremony held during the inauguration of AION Makati.

INTRODUCING THE AION BRAND

Established in July 2017, AION is the electric vehicle arm of GAC and now the third largest battery EV brand in the world.  AION stands for AI On the Road, representing Intelligence, Emotion, and Trust. At the core of AION’s mission is creating a “Smarter Companion” for its customers, using AI to enhance every driving experience. The brand’s DNA is defined by being Advanced, Fun, Trendy, and High-Quality, positioning AION as a high-end intelligent EV brand.

Today, AION holds the title of one of the fastest car brands to surpass one million vehicles. As one of the Top 3 global EV brands and the second largest in China, AION enters the Philippine market with a bold vision: to revolutionize transportation with world-class, high-end new energy vehicles.

AION’s unique combination of independent research and development (R&D) and cutting-edge innovation provides Filipino customers with several key advantages. With driving ranges from 500 km to 700 km, AION effectively eliminates range anxiety, making long-distance travel more accessible. The growing charging network also ensures that charging is no longer a barrier to EV adoption, offering faster and smarter charging solutions. Furthermore, AION's focus on battery technology emphasizes safety, with LFP batteries enhancing durability and reliability. All of this is achieved while maintaining affordability and value, as AION continues to reduce costs without compromising on quality, ensuring residual value for customers.

AION’s entry into the Philippines is part of a larger ASEAN expansion strategy. This initiative includes launching premium EV models tailored to meet the specific needs of Filipino drivers, while also working with local partners to build a robust and accessible charging infrastructure. Additionally, AION is committed to investing in local talent and contributing to the Philippine economy through job creation and economic growth, further solidifying its presence in the region.

JOIN THE GREEN REVOLUTION WITH AION

Customers are invited to discover the future of driving at AION Makati, located at 2287 Chino Roces Extension Avenue, Magallanes, Makati City. The showroom is open from Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM, and on Sundays and holidays, from 9 AM to 5 PM. For more information, follow AION Philippines on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AIONPhilippines) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/AIONPhilippines) to learn more about our electric vehicle offerings.