“For greener and more practical mobility, one ride at a time.”

Deputy chief executive officer Brennan Singson Lim of Legado Motors geared up on DAILY TRIBUNE’s Straight Talk to discuss smarter choices in the modern automotive industry through Legado Motors’ electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles.

The brand name itself speaks of the company’s mantra: To leave a good legacy in the automotive industry.

Raised in the transport sector through his family, which founded Partas Transportation, Lim shared how Legado Motors refuses to remain stagnant. Instead, the company continues to innovate by embracing rapidly evolving automotive technology and distributing vehicles that meet contemporary road needs.

Lim explained that fast charging can power the vehicle in about an hour, providing a range of up to 420 kilometers, making it ideal for busy drivers who can charge during short breaks.

Reimagining transport

Legado Motors began its journey in 2018 with its first brand, GAC Motor, at a time when only a handful of Chinese automotive brands were present in the Philippine market. In 2022, the company launched Dongfeng Motors, one of China’s “big four” automakers.

Dongfeng offers a full lineup ranging from gasoline, diesel, hybrid, to electric vehicles. Its vehicle types include sedans, SUVs, vans and pickups.

Legado Motors has since expanded rapidly, with existing showrooms in Pasig, Bacoor, Alabang, Pampanga and other locations. Singson shared that the company is still eyeing further expansion, with plans to open six more dealerships, including in Manila, Cebu, Nueva Ecija, and additional southern areas.

Rolling out a wiser road partner

Recently, Legado Motors launched the Dongfeng E70 Pro, a commercial electric sedan designed to meet the growing demand for cost-efficient transport.

“There’s a big opportunity in the commercial sector, especially now with gas prices being so high,” Lim said, pointing out how rising fuel costs continue to strain vehicle owners’ finances.

“What’s nice about it is, especially for an EV taxi, now with gas prices being so high, for a driver, especially for boundary system drivers, they have to pay for their own gas. You’ll spend P2,000 to P5,000 for a full tank of gas to last you the whole day. With EVs, to go the same distance, you’ll only be spending P500,” he added.

Lim explained that fast charging can power the vehicle in about an hour, providing a range of up to 420 kilometers, making it ideal for busy drivers who can charge during short breaks. Slow charging, on the other hand, takes about four hours and is suitable for overnight use.

“Like a phone, it has a stopper. When it reaches 100 percent, it’ll stop charging,” Lim said, highlighting the vehicle’s built-in safety feature.

To address the concerns of hesitant buyers, Legado Motors also offers hybrid vehicles equipped with smart systems that alternate between battery and gasoline power.

“You start off actually in battery mode, then the gas engine will turn on only when needed,” Singson explained.

Lim also shared that Dongfeng’s popular retail model, the Nammi, is gaining traction. Priced at around P1 million, the compact EV offers a 420-kilometer range and supports home charging through wall chargers and standard outlets.

He further explained that entry-level EVs are priced between P1 million to P1.2 million, while hybrid vehicles range from P1.3 million to P1.5 million.

A better tomorrow with EVs

Legado Motors continues to push innovation by supplying EV fleets to transport operators partnered with Grab. Singson said the company currently has around 50 EV taxis in operation, with plans to double that number by the second to third quarter of the year.

Electric vehicles are highlighted as zero-emission options, making them an effective solution to help address worsening air pollution in Metro Manila.

“We want to make sure that the world we leave to them, the next generation, is still a good and clean place,” Singson said.