Maxus launches big van lineup
Ready to the serve transport sector
Ayala Corp.’s AC Industrials has formally launched its newest automotive brand, Maxus Philippines. The new brand introduced its flagship model, the G10 family multipurpose vehicle, together with the V80 Comfort, Flex, and Transport vans. Joining the likes of Honda, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Kia, and KTM motorcycles, Maxus becomes the sixth automotive brand under the AC Industrials umbrella, hoping to be a competitive force in the commercial vehicle category.
“Not only does its strength lie in transporting families, Maxus also adds a distinct proposition to cargo transport and shuttle services, offering our multitude of Pinoy small and medium-sized entrepreneurs the opportunity to get their shuttle and cargo businesses going in style, comfort and power,” said Mr. Felipe Estrella, president of Maxus Philippines.
The Maxus brand carries a significant British legacy, tracing its roots back to 1896, with the creation of the Leyland Steam Van, followed by the start of Leyland Motors in 1907. Leyland DAF Vans (LDV), a successor company to Leyland Motors, launched the Maxus brand in 2004, and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) acquired the assets of the LDV Group in 2010. Maxus vehicles continue to be sold under the LDV brand in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
During the Maxus launch, entitled “Max It Out,” Maxus Philippines introduced the following initial models to be offered locally.
Maxus G10
The Maxus G10 serves as the brand’s flagship model, with a nine-seater configuration. All seats are adjustable, with the second and third rows featuring four captain’s seats in total. The fourth row features a three-seat bench which folds with a 60:40 split. The G10 also highlights a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with USB and Bluetooth connectivity powering six speakers. In terms of safety, the G10 features driver, front passenger and side airbags, threepoint seatbelts for all seats, ISOFIX child seat attachments, and front and rear parking sensors. The G10 is also fitted with a McPherson suspension at the front, five-link coil springs at the rear, and chassis tuning by Lotus and GM Pan-Asia, resulting in increased stability and better handling. Powering the MPV is a Euro-4 1.9-liter diesel engine equipped with a variable-geometry turbocharger mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that produces a maximum output of 150 hp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,800 to 2,600rpm. The Maxus G10 is currently being offered at its introductory price of P1,680,000.
Maxus V80 Comfort, Flex, and Transport
The Maxus V80 comes in three different configurations. The V80 Comfort seats 13 passengers, and is the widest van in its class. With its 2.5-liter CRDi turbocharged engine producing 136 hp and 330 Nm of torque, dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX and rear proximity sensors, the V80 Comfort can be an ideal family van, school bus, or passenger shuttle service vehicle. Its price tag comes in at P1,570,000.
The V80 Flex features the same body dimensions, engine, and safety features, and load capacity as the V80 Comfort, but is configured to be more affordable, making it a suitable choice for small-and-medium sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) for transporting cargo. The V80 Flex comes with a price tag of P1,190,000.
The V80 Transport is equipped with the same engine and safety features as the rest of the V80 line, and as the name suggests, is ideal for a shuttle servicing business with its 18-seater capacity. The V80 Transport is priced
at R1,288,000.
Aftersales and dealer network
The Maxus lineup has a periodic maintenance service (PMS) schedule starting with the first 5,000 kilometers, and every succeeding 10,000 kilometers, or once a year, whichever comes first, which is more cost-efficient compared to the industry-standard 5,000 kilometers PMS interval. Maxus Philippines offers a threeyear, 100,000-kilometer warranty for all their products. In addition, Maxus Philippines also offers 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, a pick-up and delivery service for customers, and on-site servicing for corporate fleet accounts. The first showroom and aftersales facility is located at the Greenfield District Showroom and Service Center in Mandaluyong City, with dealerships at ASEANA Manila Bay in Parañaque City, Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, and Cebu in the Visayas region planned for the near future.