It was undoubtedly a double celebration for the partnership of the Autohub Group and Astara Philippines when JAC Pasig was formally opened recently. Back to this in a bit.
The new, second dealership of JAC – one of four brands that Astara controls in the Philippines (the others being GAC, Peugeot, and JMC) – is located on the corner of E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue corner Jose Cruz Street in Barangay Barrio Ugong. It is the first JAC showroom under the considerable girth of the Autohub Group (and the marques it takes care of here), and represents a further strengthening of the ties with the Madrid-based mobility group Astara. JAC Pasig gets a spacious showroom floor that is said to accommodate up to 12 vehicles.
“We were very impressed with the lineup of JAC – from its small cars to electric cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and even the big, big trucks. They have such a complete lineup,” replied Autohub Group President Willy Tee Ten to a question from The STAR and other media outfits following the inauguration of the facility. “We told ourselves that if we get JAC, then we have access to a lot of great models not currently available to our group.”
Meanwhile, in a release, JAC International Regional Director for Asia Pacific (specific to left-hand-drive markets) Jessica Ji underscored the importance of our market to the growth aspirations of the brand. “As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we are also looking to the future with excitement and optimism,” she said in a speech. “Together with our partner Astara, we are dedicated to making JAC Motors a household name in the Philippines, bringing a better driving experience and a new automotive lifestyle to Filipino users.”
Aside from opening the doors to a new JAC dealership, Astara and Autohub formally unveiled the JAC Ytterby product during the event to make it, yes, a double celebration. Previewed at this year’s Manila International Auto Show, the Ytterby is finally, formally entering the local portfolio – marking the Chinese brand’s first foray into a still-burgeoning local battery electric vehicle (BEV) scene.
We spoke with Ji, and this writer asked her to comment on the state of the EV industry in the country considering the release of the Ytterby. Why now?
“Actually, for me, electric vehicles are new here in the Philippines,” she began. “For JAC, the Ytterby is different from its competitors because it promises up to 505 kilometers of range; we have a higher range. We understand that for some customers, when they select electric vehicles, range anxiety is still an important consideration.”
The executive shared that there are “so many electric vehicles on the road” in Thailand. “The Thai government has more encouraging policies because they have a production base of EV cars in the country. They also subsidize the cost of the vehicles.”
There is still “some space” for EVs here, she added, and conceded that “in the last two years, the government has released many policies good for the EV industry. I think it’s pretty good for us and is the right timing for us to enter the market with the Ytterby.”
JAC Philippines is obviously bullish and confident about the Ytterby, which generated quite an interest during its aforementioned preview at MIAS. Now, the company is offering the model in two variants – chiefly differing in range – the Pro 505 and the Air 405. Yes, the numbers denote the published range (CLTC standard) in kilometers. The Pro 505 boasts a 51.5kWh battery which supplies juice to its motor, good for up to 134hp and 175Nm; the Air 405 receives a 41kWh battery pack and an electric motor producing 94hp and 135Nm.
JAC reports that charging via a DC fast charger can raise the battery level from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes. When using the supplied 7kWh home charger, the Ytterby’s cell can be replenished in 7.5 hours to nine hours, depending on the model.
“Astara’s placing a bet on the JAC lineup,” stated JAC Philippines Brand Head Tonette Lee. “The breadth of the lineup is incredible – from ICE vehicles, PHEVs, to BEVs. It’s only timely that we join in helping Filipinos reduce their cost to care, providing a real battery electric vehicle at affordable prices. The Ytterby is surprisingly affordable versus the spec and range you get, and quality and reliability of the car.”
The all-new Ytterby (named after a Swedish village) is said to reflect JAC’s “Bubble Aesthetics Design” philosophy. It calls to mind the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, imbued with some touches of the Mini Cooper. Oversized LED headlights are fringed by daytime running lights, and a similarly large 1.45-meter skylight – reportedly made using JAC’s laminated Low-E glass which is “perfect for the Philippines” – reduces heat absorption, glare, and UV radiation. At the rear, the Ytterby features a blacked-out D-pillar, subtle tailgate spoiler, and large and square LED taillights.
The JAC Ytterby Air 405 is priced at P1.195 million, while the JAC Ytterby Pro 505 costs P1.32 million. Lee continued, “If you think about it, our Pro 505 has the specs of larger BEVs, with a full suite of tech and safety and control features. We provide it at a price that is substantially less than that of our competitors. We’re really, in a way, reducing the cost to care for the environment for Filipinos who want to do that. In the past, hybrids and electrics were expensive to acquire, and own. I think Chinese electrics have reduced the cost to care for the planet.”
Concluded Tee Ten, “I think that electric vehicles will continue to grow in the country, perhaps not in the same pace as Thailand or other countries. If people here test drive it, they will find out that, first, the savings in fuel is tremendous, as with the savings on maintenance. Then you have no coding days.
“I guess it just entails a change in mindset,” he said. “People have to charge as often as they can, instead of waiting for the battery to drain before charging. I think that’s the only thing we need to change in our habits. I think that EVs will continue to trend upward in our market.”
For more information, visit www.jacmotors.com.ph or follow @jaccarsphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.
