AION Delivers First UK Customer Cars
AION has completed its first customer handover in the UK, less than three weeks after opening its initial retail network and beginning sales of the all-electric AION V family SUV.
The first UK customers, Swansea-based Mr and Mrs King, collected their new AION V from AION Swansea, operated by Bassetts, marking an important milestone for the Chinese EV brand's UK launch.
The AION V is the company's debut model in Britain, priced from £36,450 on-the-road. Positioned in the highly competitive C-segment electric SUV market, the model aims to attract buyers with a combination of generous equipment levels, competitive pricing and a strong ownership package.
One area where the AION V has received particular praise is its interior. The cabin offers a premium look and feel that rivals more established competitors, with a spacious layout and extensive comfort and convenience features helping it stand out in a crowded marketplace. While opinions on the exterior styling may be more mixed, with some buyers likely to prefer a more distinctive or adventurous design, the overall package has been well received by early customers.
Kevin Parry (Bassetts), Mr and Mrs King, Mick Skerratt (AION), Rowan Archibald (Bassetts) and Paul Reed (Bassetts)
A key part of AION's UK strategy is its "Great 8 Promise", an ownership package that includes eight years of warranty cover, servicing, roadside assistance and MOTs as standard. At a time when many consumers remain cautious about adopting vehicles from newer brands, the comprehensive support package appears to be generating significant positive attention among prospective buyers.
Mrs King cited both the vehicle's quality and the ownership proposition as major factors behind the purchase decision.
"The quality of the AION V, both inside and out, is what first drew us to it; being able to have a premium look and feel for an affordable price made it an easy decision. Plus, AION's Great 8 Promise gave us the confidence and reassurance to try a new brand," she said.
According to AION Auto UK Managing Director Jon Wakefield, the company has spent the past 18 months adapting the AION V for British customers, roads and driving conditions.
"We have worked incredibly hard to develop a compelling ownership proposition with the AION Great 8 Promise," said Wakefield. "To now see the first customer handover take place is an incredibly proud moment for the whole AION team."
The AION V is is the first model to arrive in the UK from major Chinese manufacturer GAC.
The launch comes as AION rapidly expands its UK retail footprint. Eight dealerships opened on 1 June, taking customer orders within hours of launch. The company expects to have 15 sites operating by the end of June and plans to grow the network to 30 locations by the end of the year.
Alongside its dealership network, AION is also promoting its UK-based concierge contact centre, which offers direct access to customer support for sales, charging and aftersales enquiries.
Looking ahead, the company plans to introduce the smaller AION UT family hatchback before the end of 2026, with two additional models scheduled to arrive in 2027. Longer term, AION intends to offer a range of seven electrified vehicles in the UK by 2030, including battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models.
The first UK customer handover is undoubtedly a significant milestone for AION and an encouraging start for the brand's British ambitions. Early feedback on the AION V appears positive, particularly around its interior quality, value proposition and the reassurance offered by the Great 8 Promise.
As with any new entrant to the market, the real challenge begins after the first cars reach customers. Many UK buyers remain cautious about committing to an unfamiliar (to them) automotive brand, regardless of how impressive the product may be on paper. Factors such as parts availability, after-sales support and long-term reliability will ultimately determine whether AION can convert early interest into long-lasting success.
The good news for AION is that the foundations appear strong. The product is competitive, the ownership package is among the most comprehensive currently available, and the retail network is expanding rapidly. The next few years will reveal whether the brand can build the trust and reputation needed to join the growing list of Chinese manufacturers successfully establishing themselves in the UK market.
Check out our review on the AION V below…
About the Author
Jim Starling is the founder of DefinitelyNotAGuru, a UK-based automotive media outlet focused on clear, honest, consumer-first journalism. His work cuts through marketing hype and technical jargon to help everyday drivers make sense of car buying, leasing, ownership costs, and the transition to electric vehicles.
An independent motoring journalist and long-term EV owner, Jim brings real-world experience to his reporting. Whether covering major international motor shows or testing new cars on UK roads, his focus remains the same: straightforward analysis and genuinely unbiased advice that puts the audience first.