Thai-built Chinese cars for Australia? BYD Dolphin-rivalling GAC Aion UT electric car and M8 hybrid people mover to fight the Kia Carnival detailed at Bangkok motor show

Chinese manufacturer GAC has announced plans to expand its right-hand-drive model offering which could mean a bigger line-up for Australia.

GAC, short for Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Co., Ltd, has previously committed to launching in Australia in the second quarter of 2025 with its Aion electric vehicle sub-brand and the V mid-size SUV.

There is no word on more precise timing as the company’s global arm, as well as the Australian distributor, AGA Auto, have not revealed any further details since Mobility Live show in Melbourne.

However, the Chinese giant has revealed its "One GAC 2.0 strategic plan" and commitment to invest in its Thailand operations at this week’s Bangkok motor show.

GAC also took the opportunity to hold the Thai debut of the Aion UT EV and the GAC M8 plug-in hybrid MPV.

GAC has a ‘smart’ factory in Thailand and the company confirmed plans to expand the number of models it produces there.

Whether this means some GAC/Aion models will come to Australia from Thailand remains to be seen, but given the focus on right-hand-drive production, it could be a possibility.

As part of its Thailand Action Plan, GAC will also invest in product development and customer service initiatives in the South-East Asian Kingdom.

The first model expected for the Australian market is the Aion V, which made its Australian debut at Mobility Live last year. This model will compete with the growing number of predominantly Chinese electric mid-size SUVs like the Leapmotor C10, Geely EX5, Deepal S07, Cupra Tavascan and Jaecoo J7.

But the models GAC showed off in Thailand might also make it here.

The small Aion UT is priced at just US$9600 (A$15,466) in China, and will debut in its home market with five trims and four battery pack options, offering ranges of between 330km and 420km under the lenient CLTC cycle. It looks to be a BYD Dolphin or GWM Ora rival.

The other model is the GAC M8 plug-in hybrid people mover, and at 5212mm long, 1893mm wide and 1823mm tall it is roughly the same size as the Zeekr 009.

It has a 106km electric-only range for a total driving range of 1032km, and would be a unique offering in Australia as currently there are no PHEV people movers in our market. The popular Kia Carnival is now offered as a plugless hybrid, while the LDV Mifa 9 and Zeekr 009 are fully electric.

CarsGuide has reached out to GAC’s global PR contact and the local importer for more details on its future plans.