When BAIC Philippines set out to find its next brand ambassador, the goal was never just to put a familiar face behind the wheel. For Kobe Paras, what sealed the partnership was something more personal: the chance to stand alongside his father, Benjie Paras, and brother, Andre Paras, as part of the BAIC family.
“The fact that our BAIC family wanted to get not just me, but my brother and dad, to be a part of it. Being able to work with them is always a dream of mine,” Kobe shared.
For someone who has an active lifestyle, owning a BAIC felt natural. The brand’s growing lineup, spanning efficient electric and hybrids built for the city and rugged, adventure-ready models built for the terrain beyond it, mirrors the same restless, always-moving spirit Kobe brings to everything he does.
A Self-Described Skeptic, Turned Convert
Kobe is candid about where he started. Like many Filipinos still weighing the switch to hybrid, he admits he once approached the category with hesitation, largely because he simply hadn’t been exposed to it.
“I used to be very hesitant about hybrid and electric vehicles because I wasn’t educated enough on it. But now that I am a proud hybrid owner, I can wholeheartedly say that it was the best decision for me and my family. You save a lot on gas, and you also get to drive a beautiful car.”
That shift began the moment he got behind the wheel of his own BAIC vehicle.
“I was really impressed. It was my first time driving a hybrid vehicle, and it honestly made me realize that I was missing out this whole time.”
Sport Mode, Style, and Rewriting Electric and Hybrid Stereotypes
Asked what feature left the biggest impression, Kobe points to something that pushes back on a common misconception about hybrid and electric vehicles, one he sees echoed across BAIC’s range, from the daily-driver hybrids to the more rugged, adventure-built models made for going further off the beaten path.
“I love the sport mode. When we talk about hybrid and electric vehicles, people usually belittle them, but the sport mode in my BAIC car makes me feel like I’m driving a sports car, not because it’s fast, but because the interior is also so stylish.”
Beyond the appeal of performance, Kobe finds his car most valuable in the moments that make up ordinary life in the city.
“Living in Manila means you have to accept the fact that you will be stuck in traffic no matter what. So when I’m going out to do my errands, I find peace and comfort in knowing that it will be such a pleasant drive, and also I get to save money on gas because I have a hybrid vehicle.”
That day-to-day reliability, he says, has held up against even his highest expectations.
“It definitely exceeded my expectations. My brother, Andre has this quote: “Your expectations, your disappointment.” And I have not been disappointed once with my BAIC.”
A trip to a major auto show in China with his brother Andre gave Kobe a preview of where the brand is headed globally, further reinforcing his confidence in the partnership.
“When my brother and I were invited to go to the auto show in China for electric cars, I was blown away with the futuristic and advanced models that BAIC has to offer in the near future. I can’t wait for them to be in the Philippines one day.”
What “Drive Big” Means to Him
For Kobe, BAIC’s “Drive Big” platform extends well past the vehicle itself.
“To DRIVE BIG means to THINK BIG, and that means to stay curious at all times. To drive big means to live big, and for me that means to live life to the fullest no matter what. And to drive big means to love big, and it doesn’t matter what we go through in life, we always have to love everything around us.”
Asked what he’d tell someone weighing BAIC against other brands, Kobe kept it simple.
“People usually choose comfort over style, or style over comfort. But with BAIC, you have the best of both worlds. You can have comfort and style at the same time.”
For Kobe, the appeal of BAIC was never just about one car in his garage. It is a lineup built for the many directions his life pulls him in, from quiet city errands to the next unplanned adventure, all carrying the same promise of comfort, style, and confidence behind the wheel. As BAIC continues to expand its presence in the Philippines, Kobe joins his father and brother in showing Filipino drivers that the brand has something built for however big they choose to live.
