Time for BYD to think mass transport in PH?
In one of my social media posts about the sorry plight of the country’s railway system, a commenter typed, “vehicle capitalism destroys this utility.”
This one scathing line accusing the car industry of virtually killing the trains hit me like a runaway locomotive. It got me thinking and hitting my library.
There’s plenty of literature discussing how the automobile industry, property developments, and government policies have shifted focus away from rail systems not just here, but even in the Western world. Jonathan Mantle’s “Car Wars,” for example, detailed how auto, tire, and oil companies in the United States lobbied against mass transits. I would imagine that here in the Philippines, with the vast majority of the population (94%) still not owning their own vehicles, car companies would be very keen on expanding their markets, and that involves venturing into this vast uncharted territory of the commuting public. And I wouldn’t blame them for that. Business is business. Sell, grow, and expand. Otherwise, stagnate and die.
I will pin much of the responsibility to the government, or the lack of government, to push for mass transport. For the good of the many is their mandate, after all. This is why our country needs leadership with the bullstrong will to prioritize mass transport, and make sure that the next administrations continue what it started.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s July 27 State of the Nation Address highlighted mass transportation. He announced that two major railway projects are slated to begin partial operations by 2027: the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Valenzuela-to-Malolos segment, and the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7), covering its first 12 stations from North Avenue to Sacred Heart in Quezon City. These are major developments, no doubt. But so much remains to be done. And this is where car companies with proven track records in mass transport developments can step in and help the 94% of Filipinos who can’t (yet) afford their own cars.
BYD comes to mind in this aspect. Backed by the Chinese government, BYD has captured an enormous share of China’s urban electric bus network and partnered with its hometown of Shenzhen to help make it the first city in the world with a 100-percent electric bus fleet. It also developed a proprietary elevated monorail system called SkyRail, and holds substantial market share for electric buses across European and Asian markets.
Much of what BYD has accomplished in its country’s mass transport sector is a result of the vision of its founder and CEO Wang Chuanfu. Orphaned as a teenager in one of China’s poorest provinces and raised by his siblings, Wang worked his way through college to become an engineer. He initially focused on mobile phone batteries before launching BYD’s automotive subsidiary in 2003. In “Speed & Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now,” author John Doerr noted that amid severe urban air pollution in China, “under Wang’s climate action leadership, BYD responded by developing electric buses at the same time as its budget-priced compact car.”
Wang visited the Philippines recently—a clear sign that the Philippine automotive landscape has grown too significant for top global executives to overlook.
The fact that BYD has rapidly loomed larger in the rear view mirrors of industry giants Toyota and Mitsubishi in local retail sales certainly warrants such attention, and larger expectations. The team at BYD Cars Philippines attributes this momentum to an expanding lineup that now encompasses 15 models, including the recently launched Atto 2 EV, Atto 2 DM-i, and Seal 5 DM-i.
During one presentation, a BYD Cars representative quipped: “We’re sorry if our cars cause traffic, but we are very proud because in 2025, we had a banner year and ranked third in retail sales.”
A more trustworthy footing?
ACMobility, the mobility arm of the Ayala Group and exclusive distributor of BYD passenger cars in the country, makes a compelling case for the brand. In a market flooded with new entrants, the Ayala backing provides a layer of credibility and aftersales trust.
Furthermore, ACMobility actively develops the local charging ecosystem. It already operates over 200 EV charging hubs nationwide, with individual hubs often hosting multiple chargers. As noted during an Atto 2 preview, for owners residing in areas or condominiums without fixed charging stations, ACMobility offers emergency rescue and flexible charging options such as “Power on Wheels,” supported digitally by the Evro app.
Beyond product rollouts and charging networks, BYD Cars Philippines set out to prove real-world usability through its “Drive Electric, Love Pinas” campaign. In partnership with the Department of Tourism, the 3,500-kilometer expedition journeyed from Pagudpud down to General Santos City across 102 cities and municipalities. The drive earned two Guinness World Records: The most cities visited in a continuous journey by a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and by a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
All of these accomplishments by BYD and ACMobility points to one thing, other than the obvious fact that BYD cars have become a major player in the local automotive market: The formidable BYD-ACMobility partnership can make an even bigger impact for the 94 percent. That is, if our government motivates them enough to seriously pursue modern, electrified public transport solutions in the Philippines.
