GAC Aion sales increased 117.9 percent year-on-year to 16,031 units in January, down 3.9 percent from 16,675 units in December.

GAC Aion, the electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of GAC Group (HKG: 2238), posted sales of 16,031 units in January, up 117.9 percent year-on-year and down 3.9 percent from 16,675 units in December, according to data it released today.

GAC Aion sells 16,031 units in Jan, up 118% year-on-year-CnEVPost

(Graphic by CnEVPost)

The company, which began independent operations on November 20, 2020, is positioned as a premium smart EV brand, with models currently on sale including the Aion LX Plus, Aion V Plus, Aion S Plus, Aion S, and Aion Y, covering a price range of RMB 109,600 ($17,200) - 459,600.

GAC Aion did not release breakdown sales figures for these models in January today.

Among the company's models, the most interesting is the Aion LX Plus, which was announced at the Guangzhou Auto Show on November 19 and went on sale on January 5.

The RMB 459,600-priced version of the model features a 144.4 kWh mega-capacity battery pack with a range of 1,008 kilometers.

The company says the pack has an energy density of 205 Wh/kg, making it the longest range production vehicle in the world.

GAC Aion's pack is not based on solid-state battery technology, but on traditional ternary lithium batteries.

The company announced its sponge silicon negative cell technology on April 9, 2021, claiming it is a technology that makes batteries lighter and smaller, improving cell energy density, power density, and low-temperature battery characteristics.

GAC Aion claims the Aion LX Plus comes with 3 zoomable LiDARs located on the roof as well as the sides of the car that will allow the model to enable navigation-assisted driving on highways and in cities.

However, its spec sheet shows that only the version priced at RMB 409,600 is equipped with LiDARs, and the most expensive version with a range of 1,008 km does not have the component.

GAC Aion's model with range of over 1,000 km goes on sale for about $72,000