ANOTHER Chinese auto maker is setting its sights on the UK with the announcement that GAC intends to enter the British market in 2026.
GAC is the Guangzhou Automobile Company and it's a major player on the world auto stage ranked third in EV production behind BYD and Tesla in China.
Set up in 2008 it takes its name from its home city in south east China just to the north of Hong Kong and Guangzhou is China's third largest metropolis with a population of around 18 million.
With three main brands and collaborative ventures with Honda and Toyota, GAC has strong global ambitions and targets half a million overseas sales by 2030.
In Europe it will spearhead its arrival with GAC Aion - a company set up in 2017 specifically to exploit the electrification of cars and its first model to come to the UK will be the budget-priced Aion UT compact hatchback which in China sells for around £10,000 - significantly cheaper than the similarly sized BYD Dolphin already on sale in Britain.
With the Aion UT GAC appears to be targeting the Dolphin and pricing in the UK is likely to undercut the BYD which currently starts from around £26,000.
The Aion UT was conceived at the GAC research and development studios in Milan and measures 4.27 metres long and with a wheelbase of more than 2.75 metres it is exceptionally roomy inside with a 440 litre boot expanding with folding rear seats.
It is also very well finished with faux leather upholstery on the car we tried and twin digital displays giving an upmarket feel.
We have just put the Aion UT through its paces on the GAC test track in China where it performed handsomely and felt quite refined for a small car.
Powered by a 136hp motor the UT has a range of 267 miles and a quick recharging time to 80 per cent capacity in 24 minutes from a fast charger.
If anything, it felt a little light at the front when cornering but dynamically that was about the only criticism.
The suspension soaked up road imperfections well and generally the ride was smooth and uncompromising.
Top speed is a claimed 93mph and although no acceleration time was quoted it felt quick off the mark as electric superminis go.
From a design perspective the Aion UT is nicely curvy and cute with the nose set off with ‘ice cube' style matrix indicator lamps and a slatted air intake below the bumper.
The tailgate includes a spoiler at the top while the rear light clusters incorporate a similar arrangement as the front for the indicators.
Inside, the dash has a 14.6-inch central touchscreen to compliment an 8.8-inch digital instrument display ahead of the driver. A floating centre console incorporates two cup holders
Overall, it is functional and well thought out with gear selection done from a steering wheel stalk and the parking brake applied automatically.
It will be competing with the likes of the MG 4 and Volkswagen ID.3 and is poised to be competitive on the pricing front, marking GAC's arrival with some gusto.
The Chinese are very serious about dominating the EV market and as their recent models in Britain have shown their build quality and engineering is now of the highest of standards.
GAC is no different and with total production of around 2.5 million vehicles last year it is out to show its mettle as a major automotive force.
With production ranging from city cars to huge SUVs and supercars it has a model portfolio to match the best - and it has even developed flying cars.
Aion chipped in with some 350,000 EV sales and with the introduction of the low cost UT that can only increase.