Since its inception in 2005, MIAS has been one of the biggest yearly automotive events in the Philippines.
For the first time, it’s being held at two venues: the World Trade Center and The SMX Convention Center. When we first heard of it, it seemed like a recipe for chaos, but there’s a free shuttle service between the venues, and the shuttles were plentiful enough that we didn’t have to wait too long.
If you’re going to the event, I would suggest that you park near SMX and just take the shuttle to the World Trade Center. Parking at WTC is less than ideal, and it also tends to fill up quickly.
This year’s MIAS has more brands than ever before. UAAGI and Astara seem to be vying for the title of having the most number of new brands under their umbrella.
UAAGI has acquired BAIC and Lynk & Co, which brings their total number of automotive brands to four, the other two being Chery and Foton.
Astara has acquired JMC and JAC, which also brings their total brands to four, the other two being Peugeot and GAC.
Foton unveiled their new full-size, mild-hybrid diesel pickup, the Tunland. It comes in 2 different flavors, the V9 and the V7, both of which are very impressive to look at on the inside as well as the outside. Here’s our preview of the V9.
https://youtu.be/FN1NCpDsF2c?si=BFH-zjXxtAu5J9Qa
In China, Lynk & Co is the more premium arm of Geely. Here in the Philippines, Geely and Lynk & Co are separate entities under different distributors. Geely is absent at this year’s MIAS, but Lynk and Co has a pretty sizable booth.
They unveiled the 01, a plug-in hybrid with 262PS, 265Nm of torque, has a type 2 charging outlet, and can do 69km on pure electric power.
They also unveiled the 06, a subcompact crossover with a 1.5L ICE engine that should compete with the likes of the GAC Emzoom.
- Lynk & Co 01 PHEV – PHP 2.338M
- Lynk & Co 06 Hyper Halo – PHP 1.598M
- Lynk & Co 06 Hyper Pro – PHP 1.488M
BAIC has partnerships with Mercedes-Benz and Jeep, and their design cues reflect those partnerships. The B40 Ragnar looks like it took inspiration from the Jeep Wrangler with its utilitarian design and removable roof. It’s based on a ladder frame chassis and is powered by a 2.0L turbodiesel (163hp) coupled to an 8-speed DCT. It has an impressive approach angle of 37 degrees and a departure angle of 31 degrees.
The B80 Wagon bears a striking resemblance to the Mercedes G-Class. It’s powered by a 3.0V6 that puts out 276hp and 420Nm of torque. It comes with part-time four-wheel drive as standard and has a rear differential lock.
The B60 Beaumont is the least utilitarian-looking of BAIC’s 4×4 SUVs. It’s a 7-seater premium SUV that’s packed with modern features. It’s powered by a 2.0 Turbodiesel engine that puts out 160hp and 400Nm of torque.
In addition to their large off-road SUVs, they also launched the X55 Verve and the X7 Grandeza crossovers.
- B40 Ragnar – PHP 2.3698M
- B60 Beaumont – PHP 3.180M
- B80 Wagon – PHP 4.398M
- X7 Grandeza – PHP 1.648M
- X55 Verve – PHP 1.348M
Chery unveiled their new electrified vehicles, the Tiggo 7 Pro PHEV and the EQ7.
The Tiggo 7 Pro hybrid has dual electric motors and a 1.5 ICE engine that puts out a combined 326PS and 545Nm of torque. It has an electric range of 80km.
The is an all-electric vehicle with a power output of 211PS and 285Nm of torque. It has a range of 512km.
Indicative Prices:
- Chery Tiggo 7 Pro: PHP 1.8M
- Chery EQ 7L: PHP 2M
