Jetour Auto Philippines, Inc. (JAPI), the latest addition to the local automotive industry, has officially arrived in the country. The official launch of the brand was hosted at an exclusive event, with a public debut happening at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) in April. The company also plans to start selling its cars in the same month.
JAPI is a joint venture between two of the biggest dealership groups in the Philippines: the Gateway Group and AutoSpeedyGo.
AutoSpeedyGo’s Yves Jovincci Licup is the JAPI’s president, while Gateway Group’s Michael Goho is the vice-president. Miguelito Jose is Jetour Auto PH’s managing director, while May De Los Santos serves as the marketing director.
Jetour is a relatively new player in the automotive industry, having been established in 2018. Formed under China’s Chery Holdings Group, the brand is built on the foundation of Chery’s two decades of expertise in vehicle manufacturing. The brand’s focus is on SUVs, MPVs, and electrified vehicles, and it aims to stand out in these segments by offering design-forward, intelligent, and multi-functional products. On its first year, JAPI is confidently projecting a sales total of 1,500 units.
More importantly, the brand aims to entice Filipino car buyers with an affordable lineup, which was revealed at the said exclusive event.
“We believe that the collective experience and expertise between these two groups behind Jetour Auto Philippines will be invaluable and instrumental in guaranteeing the success of the brand in the country,” said Jose. “We will definitely be leveraging their strength, contacts, and wisdom.”
JAPI has confirmed its plans to erect eight dealerships in key points in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The company has also revealed its lineup, consisting of the Ice Cream EV, X70, X70 Plus, and Dashing, all of which will come with a 6-year comprehensive warranty package with unlimited mileage. Additionally, all internal combustion engine offerings will be covered by a 10-year engine warranty.
Value-Packed Seven-Seaters: X70 and X70 Plus
The Jetour X70 is a midsize crossover that boasts a rugged SUV design, and offers seven seats for a starting price of under P1.1 million, making it an attractive option for buyers. The front of the vehicle features an aggressive fascia design, with a massive grille flanked by LED headlights and distinct fog lights. Chrome trims at the front aim to add a premium touch to the vehicle’s overall look.
The X70’s interior is equipped with amenities such as a two-tone brown and black theme, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a digital gauge cluster, and an electronic parking brake. There’s also a panoramic sunroof, a surprising feature at this price point.
Under the hood, the X70 is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that can generate 154hp and 230Nm of torque, sending power to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Jetour Philippines is offering three X70 variants: the X70 Journey for P1.099 million, the X70 Travel for P1.259 million, and the X70 Sport for P1.299 million.
For buyers looking for a more upscale model, Jetour has also revealed the X70 Plus, which comes with a price tag of Php 1.499 million.
Most Affordable EV in the Market: Jetour Ice Cream
JAPI is introducing its first electric vehicle (EV) in the local market: the Ice Cream. The Ice Cream EV is based on the Chery QQ and is a result of Jetour’s effort to promote eco-friendly mobility solutions in the country. The compact EV’s exterior design features a cute and boxy U-shaped LED daytime running light and 12-inch steel wheels with a two-tone color scheme. Its interior maximizes space by omitting a center glove box and instead offering a unique phone holder that doubles as an infotainment screen. It also has a second row of seats with contrast stitching and a foldable feature to create additional cargo space.
Equipped with a 20 kW electric motor and 13.9 kWh lithium-ion battery, the Ice Cream is capable of generating 27hp and 85Nm of torque, with a top speed of 100 km/h and a range of up to 170 km on a single charge. Jetour is offering the Ice Cream EV at a very low price of P699,000, making it a budget-friendly option in the market and effectively making it the most affordable EV you can buy locally.
Aptly Named: Jetour Dashing
Finally, JAPI also introduced its flagship model, the aptly named Jetour Dashing. The compact crossover is set to make a statement with its aggressively good looks, loaded with tech and amenities. The front end of the Dashing is bold and eye-catching with sharp LED daytime running lamps, a large and aggressive grille, and a sporty lower front bumper. The rear section is further enhanced by thin LED taillights, a sizable diffuser-like rear bumper, and plenty of sharp lines. The 19-inch, alloy wheels come in a spoked, two-tone color scheme, adding to its stylish look.
The interior has ample space for up to five occupants with leather-wrapped seats, soft surfaces, and black or silver trim pieces. The 12.8-inch touchscreen head unit controls most of the car’s features, and safety is taken care of by adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and other advanced driver-assistive safety features.
Powering the Dashing is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine, producing up to 154hp and 230Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 2023 Jetour Dashing has a price tag of P1.329 million.