GAC Aion, a new energy vehicle arm of the GAC Group, commenced operation of its Thailand factory on Wednesday, with the second-generation AION V, its first global model, rolling off the production lines in both China and Thailand.

The smart factory, with relatively small scale but rapidly efficient production, supports the production of the company's second-generation AION V and AION Y Plus and multiple models, according to the company.

The factory, which is highly intelligent and data-driven, applies big data, AI, IoT, visual and other advanced technologies to achieve 100 percent data interconnectivity with its base in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.

The factory will serve as GAC Aion's manufacturing base in Southeast Asia, continuing to provide global users with smart purely electric vehicles, the company said.

Launching the operation of the Thai factory would help GAC Aion to expand its global presence, especially in Southeast Asia, according to the company.

China's export of vehicles increased 30.5 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, to reach 2.793 million units, thanks to its strength in research and development, production and industrial chain in smart electric vehicle sector, according to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Zhang Ningxin contributed to this story.