ABSOLUTE POWER — President Marcos ushers in Chinese car giant Dongfeng
It was a debut never before seen in terms of scale. Dong Feng’s distributor here, after all, is Legado Motors Inc., whose chairman is political big wig Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson
You know it's an important event when it's no less than the President himself who's in the middle of it — literally.
Dongfeng Motors formally marked its arrival to the Philippines with a grand launch last Monday with President Bongbong Marcos herding three vehicles, one hybrid and two fully electric, out of the giant moving video wall.
It was a debut never before seen in terms of scale. Dong Feng's distributor here, after all, is Legado Motors Inc., whose chairman is political big wig Luis "Chavit" Singson.
Other A-listers in the crowd that afternoon at the MetroWalk MetroTent in Pasig included former Mayor Benjamin Abalos, and World Cup bowling four-time champion Paeng Nepomuceno.
But of course, it's the President who took the spotlight.
Photograph by Marc Anthony Reyes Aeolus Huge brandishes storm torrent digital grille and 'Eye of the Hurricane' headlamp that make for a head-turning looks.
He said the promotion of electric vehicles is a priority of the government, in accordance to the Paris Agreement global treaty on climate change; that by 2040, 50 percent of the vehicles plying our roads would be EVs.
"Strive with us as we generate more employment opportunities, enrich our people's quality of life, and foster more environmentally friendly communities," Mr. Marcos said in his speech.
Already, the government has been giving incentives to EV owners in terms of lower taxes, exemption from number coding, and prioritization in the registration with the Land Transportation Office.
The President then hopped on one of the three vehicles before heading out through the large throng of selfie-seekers and well-wishers.
