GAC Takes Over Philippine Operations, Will Add 8 New Models This Year

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The local operations of Chinese automaker GAC have been consolidated under a single, factory-owned structure in the Philippines as the company expands its electric vehicle lineup.

In late January of this year, GAC International Philippines confirmed that it had assumed unified control of all GAC-related brands operating in the country under the global ONE GAC framework. The change places the company’s internal combustion models, the AION electric vehicle range, and the Hyptec sub-brand under one Philippine organization responsible for sales, dealer operations, and aftersales support.

The consolidation follows the introduction of electric and hybrid vehicles that had previously been managed under separate arrangements. As part of the restructuring, dealer standards, pricing policies, and warranty coverage are being aligned across brands.

As of February 9, the company formally opened its offices unifying the various local operations.

Current EV Lineup In The Philippines

The company has already outlined the first phase of its electric vehicle presence in the country. At industry events in late 2025, including the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, three battery-electric models were presented for the local market, a lineup also covered in a detailed report by CleanTechnica.

These include the AION V, a compact electric SUV positioned for mainstream buyers; the smaller AION UT, aimed at entry-level EV customers; and the Hyptec HT, a larger and more premium electric SUV. Together, the three models establish the brand’s initial EV footprint in the Philippines, covering mass-market, compact, and higher-end segments.

How The Brand Evolved

The current setup follows several changes in local distribution since the brand entered the Philippines.

GAC vehicles were first introduced locally in 2018 through Legado Motors Inc. with internal combustion models such as the GA4 sedan and the GS4 and GS8 SUVs, and establishing the first dealerships, mainly in Metro Manila. Marketing the brand included racing.

In late 2022, distributorship transferred to Astara Philippines, part of the Astara Group. During this period, the lineup was refreshed and the dealer network expanded, coinciding with growing local interest in electrification driven by fuel prices and early EV incentives.

As electric and higher-end models were introduced, they entered the country through different channels, resulting in parallel operations with varying dealer requirements and aftersales systems.

By late 2025, Astara began winding down its automotive distribution activities in the Philippines. The parent group subsequently reassigned full distribution responsibility to GAC International Philippines, expanding the subsidiary’s role beyond its original EV-focused mandate. The transition was completed in early 2026.

With the ONE GAC structure now in place, all vehicles sold under the brand in the Philippines are handled through a single, factory-controlled organization. Existing warranties and parts support are expected to continue, while dealers are being re-accredited under unified standards, including requirements related to electric vehicle servicing.

The consolidation sets the framework for how the current EV lineup and the planned 2026 model launches will be rolled out locally under direct manufacturer oversight.

Eight New Models Planned For 2026

Beyond these initial introductions, the company has indicated that up to eight new models are scheduled for launch in the Philippines in 2026. While specific nameplates have not all been disclosed, the pipeline is expected to include a mix of additional battery-electric vehicles, hybrid models, and refreshed versions of existing offerings.

The expanded rollout aligns with the shift to direct factory oversight, allowing product launches, pricing, and aftersales preparation to be handled under a single structure. For electric vehicles in particular, this includes dealer readiness for high-voltage servicing, parts supply, and diagnostics.

CleanTechnica again asked its sources from the China automotive industry to validate a list of possible vehicles, and here is a shortlist:

Among models currently sold in China, the AION Y (or AION Y Plus) is one of the most straightforward candidates for Philippine homologation. It is a compact electric crossover with dimensions and performance characteristics well within local road and infrastructure limits. The model has already been exported to other Southeast Asian markets, which suggests that compliance with ASEAN lighting, safety, and charging standards has largely been addressed. Its relatively moderate battery size and power output also reduce strain on charging infrastructure, making it a practical volume EV for Metro Manila and secondary cities.

The AION RT, a midsize electric sedan, also ranks high in feasibility. Sedans continue to have a stable, if smaller, buyer base in the Philippines, particularly for fleet and corporate use. From a regulatory standpoint, the vehicle does not introduce unusual body styles or powertrain configurations. The key consideration would be pricing and positioning rather than homologation complexity. As with the AION Y, prior exports to other markets would shorten the approval timeline.

The Hyptec GT, an electric sedan positioned higher in the range, is technically feasible but commercially more selective. Homologation would not be difficult — its body type, dimensions, and powertrain fall within existing regulatory norms — but its performance orientation and pricing would likely limit it to niche buyers. Vehicles in this category are typically homologated later in the cycle, once dealer EV servicing capability and brand confidence are more established.

Larger SUVs such as the Hyptec HL face a different set of constraints. While homologation itself is achievable, size and weight raise practical issues. Full-size electric SUVs place greater demands on charging infrastructure and may face challenges in urban use, particularly in Metro Manila. These models are more likely to be approved for the Philippine market only after the brand has established sufficient fast-charging partnerships and aftersales readiness for large battery packs.

Then there is the Hyptec A800, if introduced in EREV form. While the Philippines does allow hybrids, range-extended systems introduce additional certification requirements, emissions testing, and aftersales complexity. Historically, automakers tend to delay or skip these powertrains in smaller markets unless there is a clear regulatory or commercial advantage.

Taken together, the most homologation-ready expansion path for 2026 would likely prioritize compact and midsize EVs already exported to other ASEAN markets, followed by selective higher-end models once infrastructure and service readiness improve. Larger SUVs and range-extended vehicles would sit at the back of the queue, not because they are impossible to approve, but because they require stronger local conditions to succeed.