Will the Wood Snake bring fortune to Chinese carmakers in the Philippines
Given the sheer number of Chinese car companies operating in the Philippines, we had to make a second story to fit the others in.
Our previous report talked about the major Chinese brands under the United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI) of highly renowned automotive executive, Rommel Sytin. These include Chery, Foton, BAIC and Lynk & Co, which all offer distinct and innovative models across a wide variety of price ranges.
Besides UAAGI’s lineup, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines noted that in the first 11 months of 2024, MG was the top-selling Chinese carmaker with 8,196 units (Rank 9), while GAC Motor of Astara Philippines sold 3,060 units (Rank 12).
Meanwhile, other renowned brands from the People’s Republic like the world-renowned BYD Auto and the (in)famous Geely are poised to go for gold in 2025, riding on the increasing demand for extremely fuel-efficient electrified vehicles.
Here’s our forecast for some other major Chinese automakers heading into the New Year.
BYD
Known worldwide as Tesla’s biggest sparring partner, BYD Auto made headlines recently after reporting record global sales last year.
China’s largest car manufacturer said it sold 4.3 million electrified vehicles in 2024 – these include 1.76 million battery electric vehicles (EV), with the balance taken up by plug-in-hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEV). In comparison, Tesla sold 1.79 million battery EVs last year.
BYD Auto Philippines is also renowned for being the most aggressive carmaker of 2024, launching four all-new models and holding events almost every month. These include the Seagull and Seal battery EVs, along with the strong-selling Sealion 6 and Seal 5 that use the company’s innovative DM-i hybrid system.
Although the carmaker remains mum on its sales figures, sources tell Inquirer Mobility that the firebrand company is considerably ahead of more established brands, Chinese or otherwise. And the fun isn’t over yet – another wave of BYD Auto models are coming in 2025.
Perhaps we’ll be seeing the likes of the BYD Shark pickup truck or Denza D9 luxury van on our roads soon?
MG
The Philippines’ biggest Chinese automaker seems to have lost none of its momentum after SAIC Motor, MG’s mother company, took over local operations in 2023.
Last year, it officially unveiled the MG 3 hatchback, available in either gasoline or hybrid-electric models, along with the G50 Plus multi-purpose vehicle. In addition, MG Philippines already has a robust EV lineup, which includes the ZS EV and the Marvel R.
Perhaps 2025 will be a year of more electrification for the storied car brand? That Cyberster EV convertible could easily snag looks away from European supercars, while more hybrid models would certainly strengthen its foothold in the Philippines.
Jetour
Jetour Auto Philippines Inc. made waves at the 2024 Philippine International Motor Show after launching the T2 Terminator sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and the X50 subcompact crossover.
The T2 is a full-fat SUV with rugged styling and immense off-road capability thanks to its Jetour XWD system. It’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine with 251 horsepower and 390 Newton-meters of torque, with prices starting at P2,498,000.
Meanwhile, the X50 takes on the lackluster Toyota Raize and the strong-selling Kia Sonet with a punchy turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine producing 154 horsepower and 230 Newton-meters of torque. Prices start at a very reasonable P888,000.
And given that JAPI is the company that gave us the cute Ice Cream EV hatchback, it is gunning for a slice of the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i’s pie with the Dashing Lightning PHEV. It looks to be a very strong 2025 for Jetour, indeed.
Geely
There was a point in the not-so-distant past when Geely Philippines seemed to be flying on cloud nine.
The handsome Coolray subcompact crossover had been selling like hotcakes, while Filipino families could finally get rid of their lumbering SUVs for a spacious and smooth-driving Okavango seven-seater. But this golden boy crashed hard after a spectacular series of servicing and public-relations blunders, played out in the court of online opinion.
After new management took over last year, Geely looks set for its redemption arc. Models like the Coolray PHEV would be a surefire way to get customers back, as well as addressing the terrible fuel consumption of Geely models.
