Those who’ve recently attended the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) or are simply in the market for a new car these days have likely noticed one trend lately: the many new Chinese car brands. MBOpinions READ:
Just this year, we’ve witnessed the arrival of Dayun, GWM, Jetour, and Hongqi. The salvo isn’t quite over yet as we expect more brands like Omoda, Jaecoo, Exceed, and SAIC to arrive later in the year. Of course, this doesn’t include the brands that have already arrived in the past years: BYD, GAC, Haima, Weltmeister, Geely, Chery, Changan, Kaicene, Dongfeng, Foton, JAC and JMC. Brands like Maxus and MG are technically European, but their vehicles are now wholly-made and imported from China.
We’ve seen this wave happen in the past, with brands like Chery, Changan, GWM, and Geely among the first to arrive, albeit in smaller numbers and under different distributors than the present. The results weren’t quite as encouraging, so why are they back in force? Is history repeating itself? Not quite. What makes this current charge different are the changing buyer tastes and global circumstances.First of all, in their home market, new car buyers are facing increasing pressure to move to new energy vehicles. The Chinese government has done this by restricting the release of license plates for new vehicles.
However, this makes it difficult for the car brands that have invested millions in mega-factories to continue to produce ICE vehicles. To make the most of them , these ICE vehicles are now being exported to countries like the Philippines. Like China, we also drive on the right side of the road and an existing free trade agreement between the Philippines and China makes their price competitive. All this is happening while their production lines are being prepared for the shift to electric models.
This new wave of brands is not something to be feared, but to be embraced. Take a test drive in a Geely, MG, Chery, Changan, or GAC and you’ll be surprised at the radical improvement in styling, quality, and performance. Check their warranty too, as many are even longer than those offered by Japanese or Korean brands. You just might be won over. If not, the increased competition will only force the established brands to offer better products at more competitive prices.
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