BAIC to the future
Beijing is the capital of China and has the world’s most populous national city with over 22 million residents. It is also one of the world’s leading centers for culture, diplomacy, politics, finance, business and economics, education, research, language, tourism, media, sports, science and technology, transportationand art, all deserving for its long 3,000-year-old existence; thus has served as the capital for multiple dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing.
Named after it is BAIC, one of the biggest and oldest automakers in China. Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd. (BAIC, formerly Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation) was founded in 1958.
BAIC is displaying its new dynamic offerings at the ongoing Beijing Auto Show (BAS) or the 19th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, now considered as the biggest international motor show in the world. The affair is being held from April 24 to May 3 at the sprawling grounds of the combined China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi) and the newly-built Capital International Exhibition Center just next to it, making up a total of 380,000 sqm of floor space. With it are 1,451 vehicles on display, including 181 global and China premieres, along with 71 concept cars introduced.
There, state-owned BAIC introduced a diverse lineup of new electrified off-roaders.
Officially unveiled as the brand’s first “tactical boxy model,” which can tackle all kinds of terrains, is the BAIC B81.
This was the centerpiece of BAIC’s parade at the show and will be available to the Chinese market by August this year, and at the latter part of 2026 for other international markets.
Meanwhile, a flagship large-size range-extended electric (REEV) off-road vehicle built on BAIC’s new platform, the BAIC Beijing BJ60e (or BJ60 Thunder), features a boxy “Emotional Block” design and is optimized for high low-speed torque while eliminating range anxiety with its fuel-replenishment system.
New variants of the BJ30e (EREV) are also being showcased, alongside the existing internal combustion engine version.
The Beijing X55 Plus, meanwhile, is a bold, tech-heavy SUV, featuring a futuristic cabin with a panoramic display and a dynamic turbocharged engine.
Along with them is the futuristic Kosmos Cabin X concept, emphasizing advancements in intelligent cabins and electrification.
The United Asia Automotive Group, Inc., brought a group of motoring journos to present vehicles carrying Jetour, BAIC, Foton, Radar, Lynk&Co and Chery logos and their technologies at the BAS.
“We brought the media, KOLs (key opinion leaders) and many others to the Beijing Auto Show to showcase the new technologies that BAIC has to offer on the global scale” said BAIC Philippines brand head and UAAGI executive director Timothy Sytin during an exclusive interview with Inquirer Motoring.
“We also got to see some new models that we could potentially release here in the Philippines,” he added.
These new potential models, as he said, could be, for one, the BAIC pickup (which has not been officially named yet).
This premium, rugged pickup offering is part of their new electrified vehicle lineup.
The pickup was displayed alongside new electric-four-wheeled drive models like the BAIC BJ30 and the new B70, emphasizing the brand’s shift toward electrified rugged vehicles.
He also said one potential offering to the local market is the military-inspired BAIC B81, which is an REEV (range-extended electric).
Aside from the auto show, we were also able to visit BAIC’s headquarters in Shunyi district, which features the state-owned automotive manufacturer’s operations, including R&D, manufacturing, and administrative functions.
BAIC in the Philippines
BAIC, here in the local market, is doing well according to Sytin.
“It’s continuing to grow. Fortunately, we have a very loyal customer base and they continue to be one of the strongest ambassadors for the brand,” he shared.
“The acceptance of the BAIC brand has been very good since we started out two years prior,” he added.
“The Philippines is an SUV country.”
Per Sytin, aside from being an SUV, these boxy type vehicles also offer new hybrid technology that their customers get to experience.
“With the power of the vehicle, modern technology, fuel savings, and just the overall practicality of having a BAIC, our customers really get to enjoy and share their experiences.”
By the way, in fact, in another auto show, our own local Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), UAAGI Auto Group generated more than 800 reservations; and perhaps a significant part of it was BAIC’s offerings, particularly the BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV.
“This is one of the strongest indicators of the shift in the market towards new electric or new energy vehicles” shared Sytin.
“The more modern hybrid technology now gives you the best of both worlds.”
