Last week, the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2023 unfolded at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, and among the key players making waves was Chery Auto Philippines.
The automaker used the platform to showcase its pivot towards a greener mobility.
Froilan Dytianquin, managing director of Chery Auto Philippines, was clear about the company's vision.
"Chery Auto Philippines wants to be at the forefront of change promoting a new era of green mobility. This path we are heading to aligns with Chery's global advocacy to promote green mobility through technological innovation," he said.
The statement was more than just corporate jargon; it was backed by the unveiling of two full electric vehicles and a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle that are set to join Chery's existing lineup.
Among the vehicles unveiled was the Chery EQ1, a city car that has already gained traction in China's mini electric vehicle segment.
This three-door hatchback features a 40hp permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and offers a battery capacity of up to 38 kWh.
The EQ1 is not just another small EV; it's a key part of Chery's strategy to dominate this market segment, as evidenced by its already impressive sales volume of over 200,000 units in four years in China.
On the other end of the spectrum, Chery also introduced the EQ7, a mid-size SUV slated for launch in the second half of 2023.
The EQ7 is built on an all-aluminum pure electric technology platform, aiming to reduce vehicle weight by about 25 percent. It will feature a 207 hp motor and a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, with a top speed of 180 km/h.
Not to be overlooked is the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro PHEV, part of the Tiggo series that has been a significant sales driver for Chery. This plug-in hybrid features Chery's in-house Kunpeng e+ PHEV powertrain.
It combines a 1.5-liter turbo engine with a 19.27 kWh battery and dual motors, delivering a combined 241 hp and 510 Nm of torque. The Tiggo 7 Pro PHEV offers a pure EV range of 100 km and a total range of 950 km, making it a versatile option for various driving needs.
"Essentially, Chery's current model lineup will be further complemented with complete new energy derivatives such as Hybrids, PHEVs, and new full Electric Vehicle models," Dytianquin added.
This is a significant development, especially at a time when the automotive industry is under pressure to transition from fossil fuels to more sustainable energy sources.
Chery's approach to this transition is multi-faceted. The company is not just adding a couple of electric models to its lineup but is also focusing on intelligent transformation.
This involves not only the vehicles themselves but also the ecosystem that supports them. The company aims to strengthen and localize EV and battery supply chains, a move that could have a ripple effect on the local automotive industry.
"With the preview of these new energy vehicles, we want to show Chery's commitment towards preservation of the environment at the same time provide customers alternatives for electric mobility to offset the rising fossil fuel costs," Dytianquin added.
