MADE IN CHINA
Chinese New Year is a time for hope and aspirations for a better life. Hence, there is no better way to achieve a better life than by broadening the car market. Here’s hoping that with the year of the snake approaching quickly, the Philippine market will be lucky enough to see an introduction of these eight majority-Chinese models.
Yangwang U8
99% of cars on the road will be helpless in a flood. The Yangwang U8, an electric full-size luxury SUV, possesses the ability to sail on water (and stay afloat for 30 minutes) should you find yourself in a flash flood. Its other features, such as a dashboard with 3 touchscreens and three more screens for rear passengers, alongside a built-in compressor refrigerator, provide you with the unnatural opportunity to enjoy a snack while watching a movie — all while you float to safety. It also boasts a 30-80% charging duration of around 18 minutes, making it extremely practical even for non-flood-related scenarios. Finally, the U8 is extremely capable off-road, even boasting the ability to tank turn, making it an extremely adept all-round model.
Denza D9
The luxury minivan market in the Philippines is concentrated around a select few vehicles, with the Toyota Alphard and the Mercedes-Benz V Class being big players. The introduction of the D9, an electric MPV produced by Denza (the luxury sub-brand of BYD) to the Philippine market would certainly prove to be beneficial. With an all-electric range of up to 520km, and a 10-minute charge range of 150km, the D9 seats up to 7 people while offering a highly luxurious rear-seat entertainment system, which not only lets you watch things like movies but also allows passengers to control functions of the car through built-in screens. Prices for the D9 start at 339,800 RMB (2,740,631 PHP) — an absolute bargain when considering its competition.
Denza Z9
Also manufactured under BYD’s luxury arm of Denza, the Z9 is offered in both sedan and wagon form, while also allowing customers to opt for a plug-in hybrid or a pure electric variant. Intended to compete with big name models like the Mercedes-Benz S Class and the Porsche Panamera, the Z9 comes packed with luxurious features like air suspension, massaging seats for front and rear seats, and two refrigerators. On the technological side, the Z9 makes use of the BYD 9000 cockpit chip, providing owners with an on-board AI assistant. The Z9 is also capable of crab-walking at a 15 degree angle — all while offering a range of 630km for the all-electric variant.
Li L6
The crossover segment in the Philippine context would most definitely appreciate the Li L6. Priced at 249,800 RMB (2,014,639 PHP), the plug-in hybrid L6 offers luxurious features without an unreasonable price tag. Its first-row seats include ventilated and heated front seats with massaging capabilities, with the ventilation and heat functions carrying over to the rear seats, along with a refrigerator on certain variants. The L6 makes use of a dual-motor system with a range of 212 kilometers under pure EV mode, bringing its total range to 1,390 kilometers.
XPeng Mona M03
The Mona M03 is a stylish electric sedan with a driving range of 620 kilometers on a full charge. It comes packed with practical features such as an intelligent driving and parking system making use of wavelength radars and ultrasonic sensors, a heat-insulated panoramic skylight, and a 15.6 inch center touchscreen. Priced at 119,800 RMB (966,780 PHP), the Mona M03 would be a much welcome addition to the compact-sedan loving Philippine market.
Xiaomi YU7
The SUV counterpart to the revolutionary all-electric Xiaomi SU7 sedan, the YU7 is likely to share multiple positive attributes with its platform mate, including impressive performance figures, various creature comforts, and extremely advanced technology. Although it’s only been recently announced, the YU7 has a notably standout design, sharing certain design cues with Ferrari’s own SUV, the Purosangue, and Aston Martin’s DBX.
Changan Lumin
The impossibly cheap Changan Lumin is a 3-door electric hatchback intended for city use. It comes standard with a 10.25 inch touchscreen multimedia system, adaptive cruise control, and a base range of 155km on a single charge with more expensive variants allowing for up to 210km. Priced at 48,900 RMB (394,345 PHP), the Lumin would make for an extremely practical point-to-point compact vehicle, an especially notable trait considering the often-cramped hustle and bustle of Philippine roads.
Here’s hoping the year of the snake will bring with it a different kind of snake to Philippine roads — a super one, even.
