BYD launches in Phl, opens Shaw Blvd. showroom

MANILA, Philippines - They say that the Chinese might someday take over the world—and it looks like the automotive market is high on its conquest list. Case in point: BYD, which is an acronym for ‘Build Your Dreams,’ is a Chinese automobile brand that has been gaining huge popularity the world over for its notable build quality, world-class technologies and affordability. It gained even more attention when world-renowned business tycoon Warren Buffet invested in the company—a clear indication of great business potential. Today, BYD has finally made its suave entrance into the Philippine automotive market, and its concrete stake is the new BYD showroom you will find along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City, operated by Solar Transport and Automotive Resources Corp. (STAR Corp.), the authorized Philippine distributor of BYD Auto Co. Ltd.

The BYD Shaw Boulevard showroom is also a fully equipped sales, parts and service center; and is the first among a planned handful of dealerships slated to open in the rest of the country in the months ahead. It already held its soft opening last September 7, and concurrently unveiled three of its locally available models:  the L3, F5 Surui and their flagship S6.

To make things even more exciting, BYD finally celebrated its grand launch in a festive event held at the One Esplanade in Pasay just last Friday. There, Solar Transport and Automotive Resources Corp. Chairman Willy Tieng, Managing Director Mark Tieng and BYD Shaw Boulevard General Manager Anna Marie Tanhueco and other key principals formally introduced their company and products to the media and special guests. Models of the L3, F5 Surui and S6 were also put on display for everyone to inspect, and a brand new L3 was also raffled off as the grand prize of the night.

The BYD L3 is a C-segment sedan that comes in two variants: the L3 1.5-liter GS that comes equipped with a 16-valve, SOHC, fuel-injected gasoline engine with DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission); and the L3 1.5-liter GL that comes with a 16-valve, SOHC, fuel-injected, gasoline engine mated to a five-speed M/T.

Meanwhile, the BYD F5 Surui is a C-segment passenger car that basically showcases the company’s impressive Remote Driving Control Technology. It is powered by a 1.5-liter 16-valve, DOHC, VVL, all-aluminum alloy engine, and has a TID power assembly (turbo charged + direct injection + dual clutch transmission), matching intelligent devices and notably good workmanship. The remote control technology enables the owner to start the car, switch on the air-conditioning, move it forward and back, turn left and right, and even travel at controlled speeds all by itself—simply with the touch of control buttons. This technology actually won the Best in Leading Science and Technology Award at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.

Finally, BYD’s flagship S6 is its independently designed SUV, which has been making waves in China. It acquired sky-high sales in China in 2011, and won as China’s SUV of the year in 2012. It is available in two variants:  the S6 2.4-liter, which is powered by a gasoline 16-valve engine (Mitsubishi 4G69) with MPI Fuel Injection by Bosch mated to a four-speed A/T and two-wheel drive; and the S6 2.0-liter 16-valve with MPI Fuel Injection by Bosch with five-speed M/T and two-wheel drive. And to make a statement for Chinese workmanship, both variants received 5-Star ratings in the C-NCAP crash tests.

It is a euphemism to say that BYD’s line of car products certainly made the world smile when it put them in the limelight at last year’s Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. Undeniably, the stars of their car show display were the: BYD S6 SUV, the BYD L3 Sedan, and BYD F5 Surui passenger car. And from today, that green company is here to stay.