Say what you want about the Chinese automotive juggernaut bulldozing its way into practically all Asian markets. But if you ask one of the Philippines’ biggest banks, the Chinese auto brands’ time has, indeed, come.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) just revealed that 16 percent of its auto loan releases to its clients in 2023 went to financing Chinese brands, signifying both the bank’s and the loan applicants’ increasing trust in such brands. 
This is a trend reflective of the global auto market, as well. You have to credit the world’s biggest economy investing heavily in automotive research and development for years, and is now reaping worldwide benefits.
GWM: Top-up the warranties
Chinese brands have been especially busy in the Philippines this past week. GWM, for one, has revealed upgraded warranty offers for its vehicles.
Last Feb. 8, Tonette Lee, marketing and sales director of GWM Philippines, announced the expansion of dealership networks of the Luxuriant Automotive Group Inc. (GWM Philippines), committing to add 20 more dealerships to its current 8 by the end of 2024.
GWM currently has dealerships along UN Avenue, Alabang, SM North Edsa, Chino Roces, Ortigas, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos City.
GWM Philippines’ models the Haval Jolion DCT, GWM Cannon, Tank 300, Haval Jolion HEV and Haval H6 HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) have bumped up the bumper-to-bumper warranties to 7 years/200,000 km (whichever comes first); Haval HEVs with 8 years, 200,000 km on battery, controller and motor, and for all models, 10 years/1,000,000 million km whichever comes first (for powertrain only).
UAAGI: Girl power up
One of the biggest automotive news the past week was that of United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (or UAAGI, the exclusive Philippine distributor of Chery and Foton vehicles, MUTT motorcycles and the soon-to-be-launched Lynk & Co, a carmaker jointly owned by China’s Geely and Volvo Cars) bringing in ex-TCCCI veterans.
UAAGI chair Rommel Sytin and Chery Auto Philippines managing director Froilan Dytianquin announced the appointment of Lyn Manalansang-Buena as chief marketing executive and senior vice president of UAAGI. She was formerly the executive vice president of The Covenant Car Company Inc (TCCCI). This announcement on Feb 8 at the Aurora Restaurant, Pacific Star Building, Makati City took members of the automotive media by surprise.
Other former TCCCI executives who will be part of UAAGI are Chris L. Yu (former senior AVP and director for national sales services), Jun Maneze (former first AVP for marketing communications services) Enrico Miguel Subido (former public relations manager) and two more members from Lyn’s marketing team.
This comes after a major shakeup last December saw another veteran lady in the industry, Fe Perez-Agudo, and her team take over management of TCCCI.
Sytin told Inquirer Road Talk: “We are bringing in new brands, but without good strategists to position our products, it’s not going to go anywhere. I reached out, and it worked. Lyn is welcomed by the industry and media. That’s one thing that I want to strengthen, our relationship with the media. We’re still finalizing two more Chinese brands to be introduced after the Chinese New Year. We should keep on introducing new models and lineups, because the market should have so many choices.”
He added: “So far, Buena’s team looks excited to work with us. It will be a collaboration of various experts. They will contribute a lot. We will have the launch before the Manila International Auto Show.”
“Foton is steady at Number 2 in the light truck category after Isuzu, surpassing Hino and Fuso. Chery has had good performance since we started. I think we’re still trying to do it slowly. We have good reviews, so far. Our service team is resourceful.”
BYD: Popping up everywhere
Ayala Corp’s motoring arm is on a roll in its electric mobility awareness campaign.
Toti Zara, president of Mobility Access Philippines Ventures Inc. (Mapvi, a subsidiary of AC Motors), had recently appeared on a succession of TV programs, namely ANC’s “Market Edge” and One News PH’s “The Big Story,” sharing insights on the progress of electric vehicle adoption in the Philippines and addressing the issues surrounding battery EVs.
BYD Philippines then opened its pop-up booth on Feb. 9 at the Capitol Commons Park in Pasig City, displaying its BEVs the Atto 3 and Dolphin. The popup booth will be open to visitors for one month. Bob Palanca, chief operating officer at Iconic Dealership Inc (dealer-arm of AC Motors), Patrick Manigbas, marketing director of AC Motors, and Mikko David, corporate communications and activation head of AC Motors, will be on hand at the pop-up booth to answer the public’s queries.
Ayala Corp. is the exclusive distributor of BYD in the Philippines, which means that owners of BYD vehicles in the country can be assured of all-around support from one of the country’s biggest conglomerates. Plus, Ayala Corp. happens to be in the middle of shoring up its own nationwide EV ecosystem, which, when completed, would offer strategically-located charging stations for all its EVs.
‘Astara’s the eyes can see’
Finally, there’s Astara mobility company, which has been appointed as the exclusive importer of JAC cars and pick-ups in the Philippines, marking the first cooperation between Astara and the brand globally.
This agreement brings JAC’s wide range of SUVs and pick-up models to a fast-growing market of Filipino consumers and commercial customers. The brand will also soon launch electrified models, both BEVs and plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs).
