Chinese state-owned carmaker GAC has entered Croatia through a partnership with automotive group SEEAG, with a showroom now open in Zagreb.

GAC Hrvatska, the company’s Croatian unit, said in a Facebook post that the partnership was formalised through a contract.

It was signed by Deniz Mei, GAC's general manager for Eastern Europe, and Jacob Nellemann, co-owner of SEEAG.

According to the translated version of the Facebook post, GAC currently offers four models in Croatia.

These include the fully electric AION UT and AION V crossovers, the petrol Emzoom, and the hybrid Emkoo SUV.

Slovenia-headquartered SEEAG's website states that it operates in 12 southeastern European markets.

It provides partners with services spanning market entry, import and distribution, wholesale and retail, and dealer network development.

Its offer also covers marketing and sales, aftersales, parts and customer experience.

The group's portfolio comprises also Kia, KGM, Volvo Cars, Geely Auto, Zeekr, Lynk & Co, Farizon and AION.

SEEAG, established in 1991, also has a presence in the Nordic and Baltic regions, with regional headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and an office in Dubai, UAE.

GAC has been expanding elsewhere in Europe too.

Since debuting its “European Market Plan” at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, GAC has designated Europe as a strategic core market, entering Poland, Portugal, and Finland in rapid succession.

GAC aims for full coverage throughout Europe by 2028, supported by ongoing efforts in channel development, service system enhancement, and industrial chain integration.

It entered Greece in December last year and launched the AION V in that market.

The company called the model's arrival there pivotal to its pan-European strategy, which it said picked up pace after it signed a global partnership agreement with Inchcape at the 2024 Paris Motor Show.

In the UK, AION, which is owned by GAC, opened order books for the UT in September. First customer deliveries start this month.

The UT joins the larger V SUV, giving Aion two models in its British line-up.