GAC explains Aussie accessories range

LOCAL GAC director of aftersales Andrew Ratajczak has outlined the expanding scope of the Chinese brand’s Australian accessories and merchandise offerings, the scope of which includes body kits, lifestyle accessories, and even robots.

The Australian public was given a glimpse at GAC’s accessories range at the recent Everything Electric show in Sydney, showcasing a body kit for its electric Aion UT hatchback, a body skirt kit for the electric Aion V SUV, along with an inflatable double bed fitting the interior of the latter.

Speaking exclusively with GoAuto, Mr Ratajczak explained the roll out of the accessories range, which covers every model within GAC’s current Australian line-up.

“Accessories for us is obviously a new thing,” he said.

“We just launched our first group of our accessory range (at the) end of this September into October.

“A lot of the stuff is still arriving, and we wanted to make sure that we have enough stock available for our customers. So, if they’re looking to purchase any of our accessories, they’re ready and available without having to wait too long.

“Now, our accessory range is covered for all our models, so we’ve targeted every model, which is the four at the moment, and that varies from both lifestyle items right up until merchandise as well, which has also been released as well.”

Mr Ratajczak explained the lifestyle focus of many of GAC’s new accessories, particularly in the case of the Aion V, with accessories such as a tent (launching in December and priced at $1018.15), roof bars (also arriving in December at $184.69), and the aforementioned inflatable double bed (which lands this month for $188.67) allowing for a “soft camp” experience.

“At the moment, for say Aion V, there’s a lot of really great camping features about that car, and I’m trying to get everything sort of associated with that camping element,” he added.

“It’s a soft camp. It’s not like off-roading. But if you want to go to a beach or there’s something at a caravan park … you’ve got the ability to have the bed, have a tent, have an awning.

“Plus, you’ve got the V2L option to plug in and use the electric items, goods. So, it’s a small little, basically camp outfit.”

According to Mr Ratajczak, quality and safety has been a focus for GAC’s Australian accessories range, with certain items having been rejected as they didn’t meet the brand’s local criteria.

“Quality is a focus. We don’t go and put anything into the market without making sure we get those accessories items into Australia wherever we source them from, and we qualify to make sure that those goods are suitable for our customers,” he insisted.

“Safety and quality have to be there right before we even put it to market.

“What you’ll find is that some of the things we do see we do reject as well because of those elements, they do not tick the box. We are working hard to bring basically life back into lifestyle for our customers.”

In the case of the spoiler ($503.93) and four-piece body kit ($1159.08) available for the Aion UT and the body skirt set ($1209.48 and arriving this month) available for the Aion V – both of which were displayed at Everything Electric – Mr Ratajczak says GAC’s accessories will appeal to enthusiasts with a taste for modifications.

“If you’re any type of car person, or you are somewhat of a modifier of cars and stuff like that in your past, then this is like a touch that allows you to put the body kits that you’ve seen at the (Everything Electric) show, which actually spice up the look of the car,” he added.

“(It) makes the car look a lot more impressive, and everyone can just customise their vehicles as well.”

Mr Ratajczak explained that these accessories can be purchased from GAC dealerships at any point during ownership and can be either dealer fit or fitted by the owner themselves.

“At any time, you could either purchase (the accessories) over the counter and do it yourself, or you can get the dealer fit at the time of purchase of your vehicle,” he said.

The accessories program has been primarily concentrated around the Aion UT, Aion V and Emzoom, with less focus placed on the M8 plug-in hybrid MPV. The reason being that a greater focus was placed on the brand’s volume sellers and also because the M8 PHEV is already a highly specified vehicle.

While genuine accessories and merchandise programs aren’t uncommon in the Australian automotive industry, GAC’s program takes a step into the future, even offering robots in humanoid and dog form alongside traditional merchandise, available through GAC dealerships.

“The robot is also available. We have an adult mid-sized robot and the dog at the moment,” Mr Ratajczak told GoAuto.

“Plus, we’ve got a variety of robotic machinery as far as coffee machines and things like that on offer.

“That is probably something of a next step … I think will come into play in the future. I’d love to have in our showrooms.”