PRIZED POINTS
BAIC unveils two hopefuls for SUV, MPV categories
THE sports utility vehicle (SUV) and multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segments are two of the fastestgrowing and selling formats in the automobile industry. On Sept. 28, BAIC Philippines unveiled two new models in the aforementioned categories in a bid to stake a claim in the niches. The car brand (which opened shop here in 2014) is the fourth-largest auto group in China, where it is based in Beijing. The BAIC Group is ranked 124th on the Fortune Global 500 list, with an operating income of $69.6 billion, according to a company statement. Its design center is located in Turin, Italy.
The BJ20 compact crossover is the company’s first SUV offering locally, an entry-model into its Bravo line, while the M50S is an upgrade of the popular M20 platform.
Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation (distributor of BAIC in the Philippines) president and CEO George S. Chua said in a speech during the twin launch that “thanks to the implementation of the China ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, bringing down customs duties from 20% to 5% on certain vehicle models,” BAIC now has a “fighting chance to compete in certain categories in the domestic market.”
And, despite the “negative image of China-made products,” Mr. Chua said the company has been able to thrive — outpacing the double-digit growth of the Philippine auto industry from 2015 to 2017. In choos- ing the nameplates to bring to the local market, the executive maintained that the priority is to “look for models that the Philippine motoring public DEPENDING on the furniture layout opted for, the M50S can seat seven or eight passengers. The MPV can still accommodate cargo aft of the seats. wanted and needed, at a price that would still be affordable.” Replying to a question from
Business-World, the executive revealed, “Given the chance, we’d like to expand our product line into the more popular segments such jeepney replacements… electric vehicles, and delivery [truck] segment. All of these things are in the plans.”
BAIC Philippines currently has nine dealerships and 21 accredited service centers. The launch of the two additional vehicle models now pushes the number of local offerings to 10.
BJ20: ‘HIGH-PERFORMANCE’ FEATURES
The BJ20 was globally presented to the public in August 2016 — bannering a “futuristically functional, classically boxy,