The Philippines and China haven’t been the best of friends in the political sphere lately. You don’t need a keen-eyed journalist to see the tensions brewing in our seas. Yet, it only makes it so much more refreshing to see the two countries work together on one cause—in this case, bringing affordable, high-quality vehicles to the general Filipino market.
Last year, we took you to China for an in-depth look at BAIC, China’s fourth largest automotive manufacturing group. This year, what was once just a newcomer to the country has grown up. Yesterday, we witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of BAIC’s flagship store in Makati. A subsidiary of Universal Motors Corporation, BAIC is taking a bold new step for the progress of the Filipino automotive market.
A new home
Currently, BAIC’s vehicles can be viewed in Universal Motors Corporation’s main building. With the new showroom, BAIC has a new home, but not far from where it began.
The new two-level, 1,200 square-meter BAIC Makati showroom will rise within Universal Motor Corporation’s compound in 2232 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati. Upon completion, the BAIC flagship showroom can showcase more than 20 vehicles at one time and will have a customer lounge, kids’ area, a boutique display area, sales offices, and after-sales reception on the ground level. A mezzanine area will hold the executive office and a board room.
The BAIC Makati Showroom is a statement of BAIC’s commitment to its customers and is envisioned to be a space where BAIC can engage with customers at all levels. It will represent, and is an expression of everything that BAIC stands for – proactive, honest, intelligent, innovative, and an energetic brand.
The new showroom is expected to be complete construction by the third quarter of 2016.
More plans for 2016
A flagship showroom isn’t the only milestone BAIC is aiming for this year. BAIC, locally known as Bayan Auto Industries Corporation, hopes to enamor more of the automotive market with the release of a new MPV, the BAIC M20. The eight-seater MPV is already available for purchase prior to an official launch. It has the power of 85kW and 150Nm of torque. It also has a sizeable length of space for all passengers, considerable for its competition. More importantly, the M20 retails for an astonishing price. The regular 8-seater variant costs only P548,000, while a more premium variant costs P578,000. BAIC is also considering to add another new vehicle for this year.
This year, Mr. George Chua, Bayan Auto President and CEO, hopes to double BAIC’s already-climbing sales. With the backing of the government, banking world, and business communities, he is confident that this year, BAIC will be made even more accessible to the Filipino market. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Chua welcomed representatives and friends from the government and businesses. Among them were Jeronimo Kilayko, President and CEO of UCPB; Jacque Ruby, Country Head of History Channel Asia and A+E Networks Asia; and, Wilson Lee of Universal Motors Corporation.
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