BYD PH turns 4, debuts small SUV
THE writing on the wall has been made infinitely clear: the traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) has painted itself into a corner, and is no longer considered a viable motivation for tomorrow’s vehicles. But as the infrastructure and ecosystem of support (particularly in our country) gets up to snuff, the end date for the beloved ICE remains undetermined.
That’s well and fine for Solar Transport and Automotive Resources Corp. (STAR Corp.) managing director Mark Andrew Tieng, someone who is willing to bide his time in order to do things the right way.
Case in point is the company’s involvement with BYD,t he Shenzhen, China headquartered car maker that prides itself in alternative (hybrid and pure-electric) powertrains. Famously backed by Warren Buffett, BYD is making the headlines in the growing number of countries that have shown the political
cojones to curtail carbon emissions.
In its native China, reports Bloomberg (citing the China Passenger Car Association), BYD registered sales of 46,855 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It led the market, even surpassing state-owned BAIC (with 36,084 units in sales).
Underscored Tieng in a statement, “In the last four years, BYD introduced various technological advances in the automotive industry. In fact, BYD is now the top supplier of electric vehicles in the world, with a market share of 13.2 percent, which is even higher than Tesla’s 9.9 percent. In the Philippines the passenger vehicle market is growing so fast and BYD has its own lineup of vehicles representing them on the road.”
Last year, the company once again sold the most number of “new energy vehicles” globally, moving 100,183 units – representing a 70-percent uptick from 2015.
Even as the company makes waves globally with its sustainably powered vehicles, Tieng and SOLAR are patiently laying down BYD’s foundation (and reputation) locally – particularly in the area of aftersales service.
“We want to show our commitment to service. When you own a BYD car, our people have the competence to fix it, and we have spare parts availability. We put a tremendous amount of effort into building trust,” he said in an exclusive interview with STAR Motoring.
With the patient, willful establishment of its reputation, BYD took the occasion of its fourth anniversary celebration to launch two products: an all-new lithium ion phosphate batter-powered forklift and, perhaps more significantly, a subcompact SUV, the S1.
Powered by a 1.5-liter gas engine good for 110hp, the S1 effectively becomes the entry point of BYD’s sport-ute portfolio. Priced at P1,068,000, the vehicle hews to the company value-formoney proposition. It boasts, among other features, a start/ stop button, smart key system, leather-wrapped interiors, parking assist view, rear and right-side mirror camera, and rear power outlet.
Tieng envisions adding more dealerships to its three BYD outlets (Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City; Batangas City, Batangas; and Talisay City, Cebu), but not before (focusing) “on the marketability of the brand… to make sure the market understands what we’re offering.” He stressed, “We want to make sure that the brand is accepted. From there, we can set how many dealerships we want to (establish). But my goal is to bring it to key cities, maybe Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, then maybe three more in Luzon.”
The executive takes heart in the expected exemption of hybrids and electrics from the impending expanded excise taxation scheme to be implemented next year, which means these vehicles will not get price bumps. “Everything will be brought in next year,” he revealed – referring to alternatively powered BYDs.
Tieng wants to customers to reconsider getting a BYD and look past the traditional reservation over choosing Chinese. “Our manufacturing supply chain source internationally,” he shared. “Our batteries are Varta, used by German brands like Lamborghini, Audi, and Porsche; our body stamping plant is in a BYD-owned factory in Ogihara, Japan; our electrical system is Bosch; our painting system is ABB; our glass is for the firm and cascading them to customers, BYD does itself a favor by focusing (and improving) on what it’s good at and leverages the expertise of the aforementioned third-party brands. Why, indeed, should one reinvent the wheel when one’s time is better spent taking on other challenges – such as taking care of tomorrow with more Earth-friendly transportation?