AION expands into Northern Ireland with appointment of Shelbourne Motors as exclusive retail partner

• Three sites launching in early 2027 in Belfast, Newry and Portadown
• Shelbourne’s first Belfast new-car franchise demonstrates commitment to AION expansion in Northern Ireland
• Initial lineup will include the AION V SUV and UT hatchback, with UT Cross and GS7 coming later in 2027

Slough, 27 October 2026 – AION has appointed Shelbourne Motors to exclusively represent the brand across Northern Ireland, with three sites launching early next year in Belfast, Newry and Portadown. 

AION made its UK debut with the fully electric AION V family SUV in May, which was joined by the AION UT hatchback in October. The line-up will expand in 2027 with the arrival of the electric UT Cross and the GS7 SUV, which will extend the brand’s reach with the introduction of both hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. 

All the brand’s models benefit from the industry-leading AION Great 8 Promise, offering an eight-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty, eight years’ servicing and roadside assistance, and MOTs until the car is eight years old.   

Duncan Johnston, Network Development Director of AION Auto UK, said: “Choosing our exclusive retail partner in Northern Ireland is an important step in AION’s UK expansion. We wanted a business with the reputation, experience and ambition to establish the brand here for the long term. Shelbourne Motors brings all three. 

“The Ward family has spent more than 50 years building customer relationships in Northern Ireland and has a proven record of representing major manufacturers. That experience, together with the team’s plans for AION, made Shelbourne stand out as we build a long-term presence with a partner who can grow with us as our model range expands." 

Founded by the Ward family in Portadown in 1973, Shelbourne Motors remains under the leadership of the second generation of the family and sells more than 6,000 new and used vehicles annually. 

The group already holds a number of other new car franchises in Northern Ireland, as well as its Autoselect used car sales, Fleet4U contract hire and leasing and SVRgo vehicle rental operations. 

Alan Thompson, Chief Operations Officer at Shelbourne Motors, said: “Being appointed AION’s sole retail partner in Northern Ireland is a statement of intent for Shelbourne Motors. It reflects the strength of our brand, the reputation we have built and our ambition to keep growing. 

“Chinese manufacturers are bringing greater choice and new technology to the market. AION’s approach to its retail partners and long-term ownership support stood out to us.  As its exclusive retail partner, we have the opportunity to build the brand here from the outset. Launching across three locations, including our first new-car franchise in Belfast, demonstrates our commitment to the partnership.” 

The new addition continues AION’s UK expansion, with more appointments to follow before the end of this year as the brand builds sustainably towards its target of at least 100 retailers by 2030.

Notes to Editors:
Pictured: Alan Thompson, Shelbourne Motors Chief Operations Officer (left) with Duncan Johnston, AION Auto UK Network Development Director (right)