Gac News

Is the ‘uncool’ people mover on the verge of a renaissance?New arrivals and rising sales suggest the once daggy family transport could become the new battleground in the Australian market.While large, seven-seat SUVs remain the preferred option for Australian families, people mover sales were up 9.2 per cent in 2025 and have started 2026 with a surge, a whopping 41.1 per cent jump on last year.While the Kia Carnival remains the undisputed champion of people movers, accounting for approximately 80 per cent of its market, there is a new wave of more premium rivals that are catering to a specific audience looking for spacious and luxurious travel.The Chinese brands are, unsurprisingly, leading this charge, as people movers are a much more popular choice in its native market. The likes of the Zeekr 009, LDV Mifa, GAC M8 PHEV and upcoming Denza D9 are all offering space and premium features for both family and business buyers.These add to the likes of the Lexus LM, which is available with an opulent four-seat layout, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class, giving buyers more choice.Meanwhile in the more family/fleet-orientated segment of the market, the Carnival competes against the Hyundai Staria, new Ford Tourneo and Volkswagen’s new-generation Multivan and Caddy.And, if that’s not enough, there are the all-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Mercedes-Benz EQV to expand the appeal of the people mover even further.So what makes people movers so popular, especially the Carnival?According to Roland Rivero, Kia Australia’s head of product planning, it’s the simple fact they are bigger and more practical than a seven-seat SUV for families that need the space.“I think our dealers do a pretty good job of conveying that while there might be a high desirability of an SUV, because everyone has got one… but for most families a Carnival is a better proposition,” explains Rivero.“For a family, fundamentally a Carnival does a better job.”The combination of more interior space, especially in the third row and a practical boot, as well as the sliding rear doors, are the standout areas where a people mover has the edge over an SUV, says Rivero.“For the most part dealers are able to convey the benefits of the Carnival over an SUV, unless the buyer has a need for four-wheel drive,” he said. “It’s probably the marketing that has driven that SUV popularity.”Rivero added: “Those that discovered the benefits of a people mover, those who have a family, realise quickly how good it can be.”Speaking to CarsGuide in August 2025, Zeekr Australia boss Frank Li admitted he was surprised by the initial slow uptake for the 009 given its popularity in overseas markets but expressed confidence in its long-term prospects.“Before actually, we valued the Australian market very much as well, but you know previously we only had two models and that is quite a niche segment in Australia,” Li explained.“Even though 009 performance is very good – it’s brilliant in south east Asia, like Hong Kong, Malay Thailand, we’re dominating this segment in this market – but the Australian market is obviously not a traditional people mover market. We believe that slowly, slowly our customers will love 009, but that takes time.”The more premium end of the market is a growing space for these more luxurious people movers, and it’s a key reason why Denza (BYD’s luxury sub-brand) is going to launch the D9 in Australia.Paul Ellis, spokesperson for Denza, said the brand’s move into the market is less about attracting fleet buyers and instead a more corporate audience, smaller operators that do luxury transfers and upmarket hotels, as well as families looking for space and comfort.“They’re a niche product, but within that niche there is quite a lot of demand for them,” Ellis told CarsGuide.

Pricing for the GAC Aion UT electric hatch has been revealed, exposing a new entrant to the budget EV segment.The Toyota Corolla-sized electric hatchback will launch in the second quarter of 2026 starting from $31,990, before on-road costs, making it one of the cheapest new EVs on the market.It is scheduled for a launch in the second quarter of 2026, but GAC Australia has been contacted for comment to get a firm date on the commencement of deliveries.It is slightly more expensive than the base BYD Dolphin, but entry variants of the Dolphin have a 70kW/180Nm motor, with a driving range of 340km.Given the Aion UT scores a 150kW/210Nm motor and 430km of driving range from its 60kWh battery, a more fair comparison is to the range-topping Dolphin Premium.This version of the Dolphin has a similar power output and driving range to the base Aion UT, with GAC’s car $5000 cheaper.The GWM Ora will be another of the Aion UT's rivals, which wears a starting price of $33,990, drive-away.GAC has brought across a higher trim level for the Aion UT, which starts from $35,990, before on-roads. Its key details appear identical, with the major upgrades expected to be increased specifications, including items like a panoramic sunroof.2026 GAC Aion UT pricing AustraliaAll variants of the Aion UT are front-wheel drive.GAC sells an even more affordable base variant of the Aion UT in its Chinese home market, with a 100kW motor and a 34.8kWh battery. At this stage, it appears the brand will not bring that car across to Australia.The Aion UT is the latest GAC model to come to Australia as part of the brand’s ambitions to launch 10 new models in the next five years.GAC currently offers three other models Down Under, which are its Emzoom combustion hatchback, Aion V mid-size fully-electric SUV and the M8 plug-in hybrid people mover.

Another city-centric, entry-level electric vehicle (EV) has been confirmed for Australia.China’s GAC has confirmed it’s launching the Aion UT small electric hatchback in the second quarter of 2026.Pricing, technical specifications and the full equipment list for Australian-specification models will be detailed closer to the launch, but when it arrives it’ll go up against rivals like the BYD Atto 1 and Dolphin, plus the Geely EX2, GWM Ora and MG4 Urban.All of these models have been vying for the title of cheapest EV in Australia. This title currently goes to the BYD Atto 1 which starts at $23,990 before on-road costs.Globally the Aion UT is offered with either a 100kW or 150kW front-mounted electric motor, which is fed by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery ranging from 34.8kWh to 60kWh.Measuring in at 4270mm long, 1850mm wide and 1575mm tall with a 2750mm wheelbase, the Aion UT is sized between the Toyota Yaris and Corolla hatchbacks.The Aion UT will slot under the Aion V mid-size SUV in GAC’s EV model line-up locally and features similar design cues.Inside there’s a 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch central touchscreen multimedia system.GAC only arrived in Australia late last year but in a few months it will already have four vehicles on sale locally – the Aion V mid-size electric SUV, Emzoom small petrol-powered SUV, M8 PHEV people mover and the Aion UT electric hatchback.GAC Australia President Kevin Shu has confirmed plans to bring “more than 10 models” to the Australian market in the next five years.There are also plans to have a total of 100 GAC dealers around Australia by the end of 2030.“Our strategy of ‘In Australia, For Australia’, will see GAC bring more than 10 models to the Australian market in the coming five years,” said Shu.“The GAC Aion UT showcases the strength of GAC’s product portfolio, combining elegant design with clever technology that genuinely enhances the daily lives of its owners.“I have no doubt this model will resonate strongly with Australians seeking an intelligent, city-focused vehicle to navigate the nation’s iconic urban landscapes.“We look forward to continuing to grow along with our customers here in Australia.”

You can't fit 10kg of dirt into a 5kg bag. That feels like an appropriate metaphor for the Australian car industry, where seemingly every few weeks a new car brand arrives to stake its claim on a piece of the market.

2025 was certainly the year of the new car brand coming to Australia.

The new-generation Toyota HiLux is among five models that have just learned their safety fate.

Another budget-friendly mid-size SUV has just been unveiled in China.

One newcomer Chinese brand is planning a multi-model takeover of Australia's new car market, leaning on its global partnership with Toyota to launch into 10 vehicles segments over the next five years.

New-to-Australia brand GAC, which has operated in China since the 1990s, has launched with a pricing tactic contradictory to many Chinese brands Down Under.Speaking to CarsGuide ahead of the launch, Deputy General Manager of GAC Australia Cheney Liang said the brand won’t chase low prices to attract customers.The thinking behind it is that GAC believes it has a product not directly comparable to rivals, and lowering its sticker prices would devalue what it believes to be higher-quality cars.“We are not chasing the same outright, aggressive pricing strategy as has been seen in the market recently, as we feel this undermines the quality and level of innovation,” Liang told CarsGuide.One of the key reasons GAC won’t be dropping pricing to the floor, Liang said, is that the brand has worked closely with Toyota and Honda in China for the last two decades, meaning it has learned plenty from the legacy Japanese brands.“In terms of our existing manufacturing facility, we have had exceptional partnership with Toyota and Honda to build and manufacture their vehicles for the domestic market. “We have learned a lot from them, and we believe that the customer will have a different experience by driving GAC.”The other main reason, Liang says, is GAC has already tested and tuned its three key offerings for Australia.“When we picked the models, we came to Australia. We have, we have already done the Australian test,” Liang confirmed.“All the models have already been sent to Australia one year ago to do the road test, and we got some feedback after finishing the test."The Aion V mid-size electric SUV, the M8 plug-in hybrid people mover, and the Emzoom compact SUV will all arrive with Australian-specific tuning.“What we believe is the vehicle price and value, always depends on what the customers need."“GAC would not always be the cheapest one, even in other countries, but most of the customers who have owned a GAC… they were impressed by the quality of GAC. “We hope that our price will match the value that we can bring to the customer.”The GAC Aion V, which should be a big-volume car for the brand, starts from $42,590 before on-roads, while the Emzoom small SUV kicks off from $25,590.The M8 plug-in is pricier at $76,590, but also more feature-packed.GAC M8While pricing for the Emzoom isn’t the lowest for its class, the Aion V’s starting price puts it very low for an electric mid-size SUV. It sits with the Geely EX5 ($40,990) and smaller BYD Atto3 ($44,990) for pricing.But don’t bring that up with GAC, as before pricing was confirmed Liang specifically said the aim wasn’t to battle other brands on price.“We don't want directly compared with other brands. What we want is, we hope, the customer to feel that the value and the price are equal.”All three of GAC’s models are available to order now.

New Chinese brand GAC says it has a secret weapon to crack the competitive Australian market, saying it has learnt from Toyota and will launch with vehicle quality that matches that of the Japanese giant.