On February 28, GAC Aion's new pure electric model UT was launched on the market with a "nuclear-level" price of 69,800 to 101,800 yuan. After adding the national replacement subsidy, the entry price further dropped to 54,800 yuan.
This not only broke through the price bottom line of the 100,000 yuan pure electric market, but also set off a profound transformation from product definition to industry logic with the strategies of "leap-level configuration" and "technology accessibility", becoming a key battle for the new chairman Feng Xingya to promote the brand transformation of GAC Aion.
With its A0-class positioning, Aion UT surpasses traditional A-class and even B-class cars in terms of space.
Its 2750mm wheelbase, 4270mm vehicle length and 440L trunk volume are significantly larger than those of its competitors. Its semi-open center console design and 1330mm rear seat width create a cross-level experience where "three adults can sit with their legs crossed".
In terms of power, the combination of the 100kW Quark electric drive system and the Magazine Battery 2.0 technology achieves a range of 420km and 24-minute fast charging. It also reshapes the safety standards of low-priced models with the extreme safety test of "no fire when shot".
In terms of intelligent configuration, the entire series is equipped with a standard 14.6-inch central control screen + 8.8-inch instrument dual screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip and an AI voice system that supports continuous command recognition, bringing the smart cockpit experience that originally belonged to the 150,000 yuan class models into the 60,000 yuan market.
Scenario-based functions such as V2L external discharge, reversing AEB automatic braking, and V-shaped cavity side airbags capture the needs of young families for safety and diverse life scenarios.
The pricing strategy of Aion UT is seen by the industry as a "value clearing" action led by Feng Xingya.
Through GAC Group's large-scale production and modular technology platforms (such as the magazine battery and Quark electric drive), UT has achieved a 150,000-level configuration at a 60,000-level price, subverting the market inertia of "low price = low configuration".
Parameter comparison shows that UT's 100kW motor power exceeds Geely Xingyuan's 58kW, and its range of 420km is better than BYD Dolphin's 401km, while its price is 10%-20% lower. This "high-to-low" strategy will force the industry to re-examine the value definition of low-priced electric vehicles.
It is worth noting that the "high cost-effectiveness" of Aion UT does not rely on cost compression, but on the sinking of technology by sharing the supply chain resources of the "Dragon Series" high-end models (such as the Milan design team and magazine battery technology).
The power of this "technological equality" logic will bring about the transformation of China's new energy industry from "low-cost manufacturing" to "high-tech universal access".
At the same time, when a 60,000 yuan car model can reshape the market with the space of a C-class car, the handling of a B-class car and the safety standards of a luxury car, the survival space of traditional car companies that rely on "toothpaste-style upgrades" will shrink rapidly.
The pricing of Aion UT is obviously aimed at becoming a hit. It is reported that UT plans to enter 18 overseas markets within this year. What Chinese car companies will export will not only be the ultimate cost-effectiveness, but also high technical standards.
