Veteran automotive distributor and importer United Asia Automotive Group Inc. or UAAGI held last week a two-day ride-and-drive media event showcasing its four automotive brands: Foton, Chery, BAIC, and Lynk & Co.
The ride and drive, which happened on June 24 and 25, took more than 30 members of the motoring media on a drive from Tim Horton’s in Eton Centris for breakfast to Clark, Pampanga for a tour at the Foton Motor Philippine plant, before proceeding to the popular and picturesque Acea Beach Resort in Subic.
It proved a perfect opportunity for the group to experience a variety of body styles (subcompact, compact and midsize monocoque crossovers, 5-seater and 7-seater ladder-frame SUVs, as well as midsize and full-size pickups) and powertrains (gasoline, diesel, gasoline plug-in hybrid, diesel self-charging hybrid, full electric) in one driving event.
The group’s four brands were divided by their respective brand themes for the event:
“New Energy Vibe” for Chery, which fielded three electrified crossovers in the Tiggo 7 Pro PHEV, the Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV, and the EQ7.
“Rough It Out” for Foton, which featured four groundbreaking pickups in the Tunland V7, Tunland V9, Thunder Outback, and the fully electric Thunder EV.
“Off-Road Premium” for BAIC, which showcased its distinctive SUVs in the B40 Ragnar, B60 Beaumont, and B80 Wagon as well as its X55 Verve crossover.
And “Make An Impression” for Lynk & Co., which rolled out its array of premium crossovers in the 01, 05, and 06.
After breakfast, the media drove out in the 14 UAAGI vehicles to head to the Foton plant in Pampanga for the factory tour. Foton Motor Philippines Inc. (FMPI) General Manager Levy Santos welcomed the media delegates and led the plant tour on board fully airconditioned Foton Modern Jeepneys.
Foton has the distinction of being the first and so far only global automotive brand to set up operations inside Clark. The assembly plant sits on an 11,000-hectare area and is capable of producing 12,000 vehicles annually. FMPI employs a workforce of 600 employees and has been ISO-certified since 2019.
The FMPI plant houses four major facilities. Building A covers the assembly area for passenger vehicles and light trucks. Building B serves as the spare parts warehouse, painting center, and pre-delivery inspection area. Building C is for body fabrication for the various light and medium trucks and commercial vehicles while Building D serves as the assembly area for Foton heavy-duty trucks.
After the Foton plant tour, the group headed to Matam-Ih in Pampanga, after which we finally departed for Acea Beach Resort in Subic.
The activities didn’t stop there, as the host prepared branded activities for the members of the media to choose from: Pickleball for the BAIC Matchpoint Club, Game Room (Foosball, Table tennis and Billiards) for the Chery Gamecube, Mountain Bike Ride for the Foton Bike Trail, and Make Your Own Cocktail for the Lynk & Co. Mixology.
After a rest period, it was on to dinner and socials with Acea’s famous buffet dinner.
Day 2 started with a hearty Acea breakfast buffet, after which we checked out and proceeded in the various UAAGI vehicles to Here Café in Clark City.
It was a fun-filled two days, but more than fun, the drive proved to be an enlightening experience as we got up close and personal with the diverse yet highly capable vehicles from Foton, Chery, BAIC and Lynk & Co.