AION has partnered with CRG Diagnostics to provide manufacturer-level diagnostic and calibration support across the UK, giving accident repair centres, replacement glass providers and fleet operators technical support for AION vehicles and showing how vehicle makers are building repair infrastructure as they enter a new market.

The support covers component coding and programming, advanced driver assistance system calibration and pre- and post-repair diagnostic scans, helping repairers complete work using manufacturer diagnostic software.

It sits within AION’s UK aftersales strategy, which includes a fully stocked domestic parts centre with guaranteed nationwide next-day delivery and UK-specific repair methods developed with Thatcham Research and available through its e-Scribe platform.

The agreement follows the introduction of AION’s second UK model, the AION UT hatchback, which joins the AION V SUV; both are covered by an eight-year warranty, servicing, roadside assistance and MOT package that transfers to later owners.

AION, founded in 2017 by GAC Group, sells in the UK through AION Auto UK, a joint venture between GAC and Jameel Motors headquartered in Slough, with the AION V priced from £36,450.

CRG Diagnostics, part of Collision Repair Group, specialises in mobile ADAS calibration, vehicle coding and diagnostic services for repair centres across the UK.

Ben Hurford, aftersales director at AION Auto UK, said the partnership complements the UK-specific repair methods developed with Thatcham Research and the focus on parts availability, and is designed to remove unnecessary delays from the repair process. Justin Bown, group managing director at Collision Repair Group, said CRG already has the capability and technical support in place as AION vehicles appear in greater numbers on UK roads.The partnership reflects new market entrants building aftersales capability alongside sales, with parts supply, repair methods and calibration support put in place before volumes build.

The launch sits within a wave of Chinese brand entries, with Reuters reporting GAC as the fourth Chinese automaker to announce a new UK brand in a single month.

For the sector, repair-network readiness is becoming part of the manufacturer’s product, with ADAS calibration and coding now needed after repairs involving sensors.

The wider signal for the sector is that vehicle makers are partnering with specialist service firms to support repairers, rather than building capability in-house.

Source: Motor Trade News / Reuters (via Automotive News) / Fleet News