The case for a new car brand
Is there really a need for another car brand in the Philippines?
I asked Lyn Buena, Chief Marketing Executive and Senior Vice President of Lynk & Co. Partners and media recently got an exclusive preview of Lynk & Co ahead of the brand’s official launch at the upcoming 2024 Manila International Auto Show in April.
Buena shares the vision of Lynk & Co to give Filipinos the opportunity to have a premium vehicle that offers quality design, safety, and modern connectivity at a more accessible price.
While most car brands originate from just one country, Lynk & Co is a unique joint venture between Sweden’s Volvo Car Group and China’s Geely Auto Group. The partnership aims to combine the strengths of both automotive groups. It also combines the best of both worlds of electric and fuel-powered vehicles through their plug-in hybrid electric vehicle models.
In the Philippines, Lynk & Co is the latest addition to the brands officially distributed by United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI).
UAAGI Chairman Rommel L. Sytin believes “Lynk & Co Philippines perfectly complements UAAGI’s existing offerings, providing Filipinos with a wider range of modern, stylish, safe, high-quality automotive choices.” He adds that “Lynk & Co not only elevates UAAGI’s entire auto brand portfolio, but also allows us to cater to a wider audience of Filipino motorists and their discerning tastes and preferences.”
At the exclusive preview, we were introduced to the 01 PHEV Crossover and the 06 SUV—both of which look stunning. I marveled at how affordable the units were when the suggested retail price was announced during the unveiling. But a friend sitting next to me remarked, “well it depends on the specs.”
The 01 has a CMA platform similarly used in the Volvo XC40, while the 06 has a BMA platform similar to that of the Geely Coolray.
I have yet to try driving the 01 and the 06. But if Lynk & Co vehicles deliver the level of driving performance we’ve seen in the brands they take some of their foundations from, then there might be a strong case for having this new car brand in the Philippines.
Lynk & Co can prove to be one of the few vehicle brands in the Philippines that ticks all the boxes of premium quality and design, hybrid technology, and affordability.
The author with fellow PDI columnist Tessa Valdes, United Auto Asia Group, Inc. (UAAGI) chairman Rommel Sytin, UAAGI group managing director Froilan Dytianquin, UAAGI chief marketing executive & senior vice president Lyn Buena, and PDI Motoring editor Jong Arcano.
