BAIC unveils new SUVs, MPVs at PIMS 2018

BAIC Philippines exhibited three new SUVs and MPVs at the recent 2018 Philippine International Motorshow (PIMS) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. At the automotive industry’s major biennial trade show where the brand was first introduced four years ago in 2014, BAIC unveiled their new M60 midsize crossover MPV and showcased the M50S compact MPV and BJ20 compact crossover SUV.

The timing of the launches highlight how the new M60 midsize MPV pushes further some of the best features of their new M50S MPV and BJ20 SUV models. The M60 scales up the people-mover dimensions of the compact M50S that BAIC dubs a modern-day station wagon, depicting the bigger MPV as a roomy, seven-seater with the stature of an executive transport.

On the other hand, the new M60 takes the BJ20’s small yet powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) and puts this match-up to more practical use pushing a large three-row MPV to a top speed of 170 km/h.

Delivering peak power of 150 hp at 6000 rpm and maximum torque of 210 Nm over a wide 2,000 to 4,500 rpm range like on the BJ20 SUV, the M60’s 1.5-liter turbocharged mill has a power profile that rivals that of turbodiesels while burning cleaner Euro 5 gasoline.

And, while the M60’s CVT remains an ideal choice for fuel efficiency and for keeping the turbocharger spooled up during acceleration (BAIC asserts a conservative yet impressive 13 km/l of mixed-mode fuel mileage), it also represents BAIC Philippines’ first automatic gearbox option on an MPV model.

The large new M60 crossover is at the borderline between midand full-sized MPVs with its 4.8-m length, 1.8-m width and 1.7-m height. Its rigid unibody construction and front-wheel drive transaxle deliver enough weight savings to keep the M60’s curbweight down to the 1,445 kg that’s more typical of a compact minivan rather than that of a midsized MPV.

Despite its large size, the M60 stays nimble with a 5.5-m turning radius that’s kept tight by a compact 2.76-m wheelbase which, in turn, is smoothed out by taking advantage of the big crossover MPV’s independent suspension. And like both the up-trimmed M50S compact MPV and BJ20 compact crossover SUV, the M60 features a reversing camera and sensors for easing the large MPV into and out of tight situations.

With its Standard 1.5L CVT variant listing at P998,000, and its Luxury 1.5L CVT variant at P1,068,000, the BAIC M60 midsize crossover MPV is priced to move against larger full-size MPVs as well as smaller compact and subcompact minivans.

Visitors to PIMS 2018 got the chance to evaluate these prices and products hands-on with test drives of BAIC’s newest models as well as their compact MZ40 three-row and MZ45 four-row vans, models that were launched along with the brand and have enjoyed growing popularity since 2014.

The BAIC Group is the fourth largest automotive manufacturing group in China. It is primarily engaged in vehicle manufacturing, parts, service trade, development and reform and adjustment. With its headquarters located in Beijing and at the Turin Styling Center in Italy, BAIC Group, is one of China’s most complete and advanced automotive groups. In the 2018 ranking of the Fortune Global 500, BAIC Group ranked 124th in Fortune Global 500 with an operating income of $69.591 billion, up 13 places from 2017. This is the sixth consecutive year that BAIC Group has been short-listed in the Fortune Global 500 and has kept raising in the list year after year. This latest ranking highlights the strong momentum of BAIC Group’s reform, transformation and high-quality development. In the Philippines, BAIC is distributed by Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation.

Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation (Bayan Auto): Bayan Auto is a subsidiary of Universal Motors Corporation, (UMC), the country’s largest and oldest purely Filipino-owned automotive assembler and distributor and has over 60 solid years of experience in the local automotive industry. Bayan Auto is responsible for the exclusive distribution and sales of BAIC passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles, marketing, dealer operations, and after sales service for BAIC vehicles in the Philippines.