Guangzhou Liyinghang's Case Study: Becoming a GAC Aion Tier-1 Supplier in 2018​

Abstract​

In 2018, as GAC Aion embarked on its journey as an emerging new energy vehicle (NEV) brand, our company successfully passed its stringent supplier audit and became a Tier-1 supplier within the GAC Aion system, leveraging our forward-looking technological layout, rigorous quality control system, and precise simultaneous engineering capabilities. This collaboration not only opened the door for us to enter the supply chain of mainstream NEV OEMs but also, through continuous deepening of cooperation, jointly propelled the innovation and development of China's new energy vehicle industry

I. Collaboration Background and Strategic Value​

GAC Aion was established in 2017 as a high-end intelligent electric vehicle brand under GAC Group

In its early development stage, building a reliable, efficient, and highly collaborative top-tier supplier system was crucial. Our successful entry into GAC Aion’s Tier-1 supplier list in 2018 signified that our technical capabilities, production quality, and management level were highly recognized by a leading industry brand.

The core strategic value of this collaboration lies in:

• Seizing Market Opportunities: Establishing cooperation during GAC Aion’s early development phase allowed us to gain a market foothold. As GAC Aion experienced rapid growth (with sales reaching 60,000 units by 2020), our business scale expanded continuously

• Enhancing System Capabilities: Driven by GAC Aion’s high standards, we comprehensively upgraded our quality management, supply chain responsiveness, and R&D capabilities, benchmarking against international first-class levels

• Strengthening Brand Endorsement: As a Tier-1 supplier to GAC Aion, we significantly enhanced our credibility and brand influence within the industry, laying a solid foundation for subsequently expanding partnerships with other mainstream OEMs

II. Key Capabilities and Measures for Achieving Collaboration​

Becoming a Tier-1 supplier for GAC Aion required passing strict assessments across multiple dimensions including qualifications, product quality, production capacity, cost, and after-sales service. We undertook comprehensive preparations and enhancements：

1. Alignment in Qualifications and Quality Systems: We possessed relevant national production qualifications and had established a quality management system compliant with automotive industry requirements (ISO 9001 / IATF 16949:2016), ensuring full-process quality control from raw materials to finished products, meeting GAC Aion's pursuit of "zero defects"

2. Simultaneous R&D and Technological Innovation Capability: We demonstrated strong Simultaneous Engineering capabilities, enabling deep involvement in customer's early product design stages, providing optimization solutions for lightweighting, thermal management, etc., which highly aligned with GAC Aion's requirement for "technological innovation cooperation" from suppliers

   For instance, from the beginning of cooperation, we focused on providing key products like lightweight body structural components and precision components for heat exchange systems, contributing to the performance enhancement of GAC Aion vehicles .

3. Stable Production Capacity and Supply Chain Guarantee: We invested in automated production lines and introduced a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), achieving real-time monitoring and traceability of production data, ensuring an on-time delivery rate stable at over 99.5%, fully meeting GAC Aion's core requirements for a "stable, reliable, and efficient" supply chain

4. Excellent Cost Competitiveness and Service Response: Through lean production and supply chain optimization, we offered competitive prices while ensuring top-tier quality. We also established a rapid customer service response mechanism to promptly resolve various issues and provide full lifecycle technical support

III. Collaboration Achievements and Synergistic Development​

Since establishing cooperation in 2018, the relationship between the two parties has continuously deepened, yielding fruitful results：

• Sustained Business Growth: The partnership expanded from initial supply of single components to multi-category product cooperation. Business volume continuously increased alongside the growth of GAC Aion's sales

• Joint Technological Evolution: We closely followed GAC Aion's technology roadmap, actively invested in R&D resources, and developed products compatible with cutting-edge technologies including semi-solid and solid-state batteries, demonstrating strong technological extensibility

• Recognition from Customer: Thanks to excellent product quality, timely supply, and good service, we have received awards such as the "Technological Innovation Award" from the customer, which is the best testament to the close cooperation and synergistic win-win situation between the two parties

IV. Lessons Learned and Future Prospects​

Reviewing the journey of becoming a GAC Aion Tier-1 supplier in 2018, we deeply recognize that in the wave of the new energy vehicle industry, being "technology-driven, quality-centric, and customer-oriented" is the key to winning market trust

Looking forward, we will continue to deepen the strategic cooperation with GAC Aion：

1. Forward-Looking Technology Layout: Continuously invest in R&D for frontier areas such as solid-state battery systems and integrated casting materials to maintain technological leadership.

2. Expanding Cooperation Breadth: Actively explore cooperation opportunities involving GAC Aion's premium brands (like Hyper) and overseas market models.

3. Intelligent and Green Manufacturing: Promote the digital and intelligent transformation of factories, practice green environmental protection concepts, and work with GAC Aion towards sustainable development and supply chain carbon neutrality goals.

Conclusion​

Becoming a Tier-1 supplier to GAC Aion in 2018 was a significant milestone in our company's development history. It confirmed our capabilities and opened vast space for continuous growth. In the future, we will continue to uphold the philosophy of win-win cooperation, join hands with excellent partners like GAC Aion, and contribute more to the electrification and intelligent transformation of the global automotive industry