NOT THE ONLY CHINESE BRANDS

Geely, GAC and Chery are by no means the only Chinese brands vying for market share in the PH.

Foton Motor has successfully penetrated the market for vans, light and heavy duty trucks, buses and heavy machinery. Foton is the only Chinese brand that has made it to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the PH, Inc. (CAMPI’S) list of top ten best-selling brands, and the only Chinese brand operating an assembly plant in the PH. Its P1.2billion assembly plant in the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga was inaugurated in February 2016.

Alphabetically listed, the other Chinese brands selling cars here are BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co., Ltd.) known locally as Bayanihan Automotive Industry Corp., BYD (Build Your Dreams), the world’s leading electric vehicle and battery manufacturer; Chang’an Automobile Co., Ltd.; Haima Automobile, a subsidiary of Dongfeng; Dongfeng Motor Corp.; FAW (First Automobile Works); Great Wall Motors and JAC Motors.

SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), the largest automaker in China, has joint venture partnerships that enable it to export to other countries, including the Philippines, vehicles bearing the Volkswagen, Maxus and MG marques.

Over the years, vehicles made in China have greatly improved in design, engineering and technology, thanks in no small part that partnerships with European, American, Japanese and Korean brands have taught Chinese automakers.

With their very affordable retail prices, China-sourced cars are poised to grab market share in the PH auto industry -- provided that they can establish their durability and reliability through the test of time.