Intelligent Manufacturing

Intelligent automation is foundational across all GAC production lines, spanning both ICE and New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).

Under China's National 5-Level Smart Manufacturing Index, the GAC AION Smart Ecological Factory launched at Level 3 with partial Level 4 capabilities, with a clear roadmap to achieve full Level 5 autonomy. Simultaneously, the GAC Yichang Plant stands as our global benchmark for intelligent, high-efficiency conventional vehicle manufacturing.

Aerial view of a large modern complex with multiple buildings, parks, water features, and green spaces surrounded by roads and trees.

Overview & Capacity

  • Timeline: Ground broken in September 2017.

  • Investment & Footprint: RMB 4.7 billion total investment spanning a 470,000m2 footprint.

  • Production Capacity: 400,000 vehicles annually (Phase 1 operational at 200,000 vehicles/year).

Core Pillars

  • Data-Driven Intelligence

    A world-class digital manufacturing ecosystem leveraging IoT, Big Data diagnostics, and mass-customisation production lines.

  • Sustainable Infrastructure

    A smart facility powered by clean energy, utilising an integrated smart micro-grid, solar photovoltaics, and an advanced battery energy storage system (BESS).

  • The Vision

    A future-oriented, fully connected model plant setting GAC’s global benchmark for manufacturing quality, high-end customization, and environmental protection.

  • GAC Factory Robotics

    World-Class Flexible Manufacturing: Steel-Aluminum Hybrid Bodies

    Industry-First Production Innovation

    • Pioneering Technology: The world’s first production facility to implement automated aluminum riveting and spot-welding changeover technology on a single, flexible line.

    • Future-Proof Manufacturing: Engineered specifically to seamlessly integrate advanced lightweight materials, such as aluminum alloys, without disrupting production flow.

  • GAC Chassis Construction

    Globally Leading Digital Plant: Autonomous Decision-Making

    Cloud-Powered Production Intelligence

    • Pioneering Data Infrastructure: The first domestic automotive plant to deploy a centralized, global data cloud platform for real-time production analytics and operational decision-making.

    • Optimized Efficiency: Deep integration of cloud data significantly accelerates throughput, tightens quality control tolerances, and ensures premium build quality.

    Smart Manufacturing & Machine Learning

    • Autonomous Operations: Moves beyond simple automation by embedding cognitive decision-making capabilities directly into the factory floor.

    • Full-Cycle Data Execution: Production systems autonomously manage the entire operational loop: data acquisition, real-time analysis, predictive judgment, and immediate process adjustments.

  • GAC App

    Globally Leading Interactive Customization Plant

    Next-Generation C2B Manufacturing

    • User-Centric Design: A pioneer in Customer-to-Business (C2B) automotive manufacturing, allowing buyers to engage directly with the design and production ecosystem to build bespoke vehicles.

    • Massive Customization Scale: Highly flexible assembly lines offer vast configuration options, supporting up to 16,800 unique build combinations for the Aion S and over 60,000 for the Aion LX.

    Transparency & User Experience (UX)

    • The GAC NE App Ecosystem: Delivers a seamless, highly engaging digital portal where customers can design, modify, and purchase their tailored configurations.

    • Live Production Tracking: Buyers can monitor their vehicle's real-time journey down the assembly line, creating a deep emotional connection and transparency from the factory floor straight to delivery.

  • GAC Intelligent factory

    The World's First Ecological Plant for Comprehensive Energy Utilisation

    Sustainable Manufacturing Infrastructure

    • Zero-Emission Blueprint: Engineered as a premier sustainable manufacturing ecosystem, minimising carbon footprints across the entire vehicle assembly lifecycle.

    • Smart Micro-Grid Integration: Powered by an advanced local energy network that dynamically balances factory power demands with clean energy supply.

    Renewable Power & Energy Storage

    • Photovoltaic Generation: Features an extensive solar array system utilising rooftop photovoltaics to capture and convert clean solar energy directly for factory operations.

    • Advanced Battery Storage: Utilises a high-capacity electric energy storage system to capture surplus renewable energy, ensuring stable, eco-friendly plant operations around the clock.

GAC Yichang Plant

World-Class Manufacturing Standards

  • A Global Benchmark: Engineered to world-class industrial standards, serving as GAC's model facility for high-efficiency, premium-quality, and energy-saving production.

  • Sustainable Operations: Built with an eco-friendly blueprint to significantly reduce the environmental impact of large-scale vehicle manufacturing.

Full-Scale Industrial Integration

  • Automated & Digitised: Seamlessly unifies advanced assembly line automation with comprehensive data digitalisation across the entire facility.

  • Intelligent Ecosystem: Blends smart management systems with ecological manufacturing technologies to create a highly responsive, future-proof production network.