Chinese Brand’s Newest Small Electric Hatch Sets Safety Standard with Anticipated Five-Star Rating

GAC’s latest offering, the Aion UT electric hatch, is making waves in the Australian automotive market. According to the local boss of the Chinese newcomer, this model is touted as the safest small car available for purchase. As GAC gears up to submit the Aion UT for ANCAP testing, it joins the brand’s existing lineup in Australia, which includes the Emzoom small SUV, Aion V mid-size SUV, and M8 plug-in hybrid people mover. Priced attractively at $30,990 drive-away for a limited time, the Aion UT is set to rival the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora.

GAC Australia CEO Kevin Shu confidently asserts that the Aion UT surpasses its competitors in terms of safety features, claiming it to be the safest car in its segment. The car boasts a range of safety features, including side curtain airbag coverage that extends over 2.1 meters. Masato Katsumata, GAC International CTO, further reinforces the safety claims by stating that the Aion UT has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating, indicating its high safety standards.

Despite the strong assurances from GAC representatives, the Aion UT’s safety credentials are yet to be officially validated by Euro NCAP or ANCAP. However, GAC plans to address this by submitting the model for testing later this year, after ensuring that its eCall system is operational. The eCall system, an essential component of ANCAP’s assessment criteria, enables automatic connection with emergency services following a collision.

Andrew Ratajczak, GAC Australia’s director of aftersales, explains that the delay in obtaining the full safety rating is due to the eCall function, which is currently being integrated into the vehicle. Once this process is complete, GAC anticipates achieving a five-star ANCAP rating for the Aion UT.

The impending five-star ANCAP rating for the Aion UT comes in the wake of low safety ratings for other small economy cars. The Suzuki Swift, for instance, initially received a one-star ANCAP rating in Australia and New Zealand, highlighting discrepancies in crash performance compared to the European model. Following updates to align the Swift with its European counterpart, Suzuki managed to improve its rating to three stars.

Similarly, MG faced scrutiny after Euro NCAP testing revealed issues with the MG 3 light hatchback’s safety features. This prompted MG to commit to delivering future models to Australia with a five-star safety rating.

As GAC continues to make strides in the Australian market with the Aion UT, car enthusiasts can look forward to a new standard of safety and performance in the small car segment. Stay tuned for more updates on GAC’s safety ratings and product offerings. Explore the GAC showroom for more exciting options. Transform the following:

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