GAC International Philippines, Inc. says it has begun direct operations in the country and will implement its One GAC strategy, integrating GAC Motor, Aion, and Hyptec into a single retail and service structure that will carry internal-combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric models.

The shift comes after Astara Philippines, the brand’s previous distributor, announced it would wind down local operations by January 2026. In earlier transition updates, GAC International said it was coordinating with Astara and the dealer network to keep dealerships operating normally and to maintain warranty, aftersales support, and parts availability during the handover.

In its January 26, 2026 statement, the company said it is strengthening local operations as part of longer-term investment in products, distribution, customer service, and operational capability. It also said the Philippines is an increasingly important market for GAC Group in Southeast Asia, linking the move to growing demand for intelligent mobility, hybrid systems, and EV technologies.

Under One GAC, the company says it will unify its product and business presence under the GAC brand, using the “one brand, one channel, one service” approach to standardize sales and aftersales delivery across its lineup.

During a recent visit to the Aion dealership in Makati, members of the motoring media were met by GAC International Philippines Chief Brand Officer Reginald “Reggie” See. He confirmed that the consolidation will be visible in dealerships, with Aion and Hyptec positioned as model lines within the broader GAC showroom network. He said EVs such as the Aion V and Hyptec models will be offered through more than 30 dealer showrooms, and he added that the dedicated Aion Makati showroom will be converted into a GAC showroom. He also said the plan is for ICE, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models to sit alongside EVs within the same network.

Addressing customer concerns about changes in local stewardship, See said the company began preparations months ahead of its February start of official operations, and cited a vehicle stockyard and a parts warehouse described as already stocked, with parts deliveries to dealers underway. He identified parts availability as a key pain point and linked the direct subsidiary setup to easier coordination with headquarters in China for parts supply, warranty issues, warranty repairs, and vehicle diagnosis support.

GAC International Philippines said all authorized dealerships remain operational and that warranty coverage, aftersales service, and parts availability will continue without disruption. See added that all 30 dealerships were carried over, with good nationwide coverage for the brand. Asked about 2026 dealer targets, he said the company was still working on plans while indicating that growth remains expected.

The company also outlined a 2026 product push, stating a plan to launch six to eight new products and confirming that hybrids and EVs are part of the next-generation rollout. See said the current lineup will continue and added that more models are expected beyond what is already on sale.

See also highlighted two EVs, the Aion V and Hyptec HT, first previewed at last year's Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, and shared manufacturer-stated range figures of over 500 kilometers for the Aion V and up to 620 kilometers for the Hyptec HT. The Hyptec HT’s “falcon-wing doors” were singled out as a design feature.

The company’s near-term priorities, based on its statement and the media discussion, center on keeping dealer operations stable, improving parts supply, and using a steady 2026 launch cadence to support a unified brand and ownership experience under One GAC.