GAC Aion Y Plus enters EV price war with raya promo, undercutting Proton e.MAS 7

The battle for the most affordable entry-level electric vehicle (EV) in Malaysia is heating up, with GAC joining the fray alongside BYD and Chery. As Hari Raya approaches, GAC is offering a promotional deal on the Aion Y Plus to better compete with rivals like the Proton eMas 7, BYD Atto 3 Ultra, and Chery Omoda E5.

From now until April 30, the Aion Y Plus is available at RM103,800 for the base Elite model and RM119,800 for the Premium variant, marking a substantial RM16,000 reduction from the standard price. This brings the top-spec Aion Y Plus in line with the Atto 3 Ultra, Omoda E5, and eMas 7 Premium after their respective discounts, while the entry-level Elite variant undercuts the Proton eMas 7 Prime by RM2,000.

However, this discount isn’t a straightforward price cut. Instead, GAC is offering free monthly instalments for 15 months (Elite) and 13 months (Premium). The actual prices remain RM119,800 and RM135,800, but buyers will enjoy more than a year of instalment-free ownership. Details regarding the required downpayment, loan tenure, and interest rate to reach the RM16,000 savings have not been disclosed.

To sweeten the deal, GAC is also including a complimentary portable three-pin charger for buyers.

The Aion Y Plus is equipped with a single front-mounted motor producing 204 PS (150 kW) and 225 Nm of torque. This setup allows the electric MPV to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. Powering the vehicle is GAC’s 63.2 kWh Magazine Battery 2.0, a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack, which delivers a respectable WLTP-rated range of 430 km.

While the Aion Y Plus supports DC fast charging at up to 80 kW and AC charging at 6.6 kW, GAC has not provided official charging time estimates.

Both the Elite and Premium variants share the same mechanical underpinnings, with the key differences being in their features. The Premium variant exclusively offers advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including:

• Autonomous emergency braking

• Adaptive cruise control

• Lane centring assist

With Proton, BYD, and Chery aggressively pushing promotions, GAC’s Raya deal makes the Aion Y Plus a compelling alternative in Malaysia’s growing EV market. The instalment-free offer may appeal to budget-conscious buyers looking for an affordable way to enter the EV space.

However, potential buyers should weigh the actual financial impact of the financing structure before committing. Will this strategy be enough to sway customers from Proton’s eMas 7 or BYD’s established presence? That remains to be seen.