Time to buy? Maybe

I recently attended the launch of the “UAAGI On The Move – 2026” campaign at the Mall of Asia which will be on until March 1, this Sunday.

The event signals the aggressive position that the United Asia Automotive Group Inc. is taking in the midst of blistering competition among car brands and organizers as they chase after customers “outdoors.”

Imagine six different car brands presenting several dozen models gathering in the country’s biggest mall alongside numerous banks and insurance companies, all with the goal of making decision making and purchase of a new car convenient and streamlined.

To quote Mr. Joshua Sytin, “We understand that no two Filipino lifestyles are the same. Whether you are looking for a fuel-efficient ICE vehicle, a sustainable electric or hybrid option, a rugged SUV for family or a dependable fleet of trucks for your business – UAAGI provides mobility solutions that fit your specific needs.”

UAAGI On The Move – 2026 features the newest and the boldest line up of vehicles and trucks you’ll see together on one floor. Go to the SM MOA Atrium where you can get up close and personal with the vehicles.

Check out each model of BAIC, Chery’s Crossover model, Jetour, the stylish Link & Co’s new energy vehicles, Radar’s modern electric pick-up trucks and the ever dependable, affordable and reliable Foton vans and trucks.

If “looking” is not enough, you can register at the UAAGI main display area for a test drive and once that’s done, the UAAGI team will facilitate your request.

If you want to find out what deals or offerings the banks have available, just ask the UAAGI personnel to escort you to one of the participating bank representatives from BPI, RCBC and Genesis Capital Financing to benefit from “on-site same day auto loan approvals.”

The mall-based event is one clear example of car companies going directly to their customers and sparing them the need to make a special trip to the dealer and the embarrassment of rolling in with your old but classic car.

Mall-based events also reduce the pressure of being in a captured environment like the car dealership, where people sometimes feel they are actually captured or being sized up or studied to see if you are a serious buyer.

Competition today is tough, and the signs are there: most if not all car brands and distributors are presenting special deals and offers, even substantial discounts. Part of the pressure comes from the arrival and entry of new or latest models that need to be introduced.

Practically all brands locally sold are under pressure from their Japanese, Chinese, Korean and US principals to increase their take on commitments, sell more units and increase their outlets or number of dealerships.

In contrast to all these, local economic and financial concerns have transformed many Filipinos into conservative and analytical beings before engaging in a major purchase decision, resulting in fewer sales.

This “perfect storm” now brings deals and offers previously unheard of which is why I ask: time to buy? Aside from the convenience and no-pressure selling, the UAAGI line-up offers models that are well established in foreign markets as well as in the Philippines.

The unspoken practice among car enthusiasts is “wait and see.” When new cars and trucks come into the market, it normally takes three to five years to see the good and the bad behind a brand. Locally, Foton and Chery have passed scrutiny.

But don’t take my word for it. Ask current owners of a car brand you have in mind, research the dealer support that comes with your choice, do test drives last or you will find yourself caught in the sweet smell of new car leather!

If you must make buying decisions, particularly cars or commercial trucks, a key consideration is if the distributor is actually Filipino based in the Philippines. While the brand may be Chinese or Japanese, are the local representatives based and living in the Philippines?

Nowadays, the younger generation makes full use of international reviews, publications and complaints to see if a new car or truck model will become a lemon or volume seller.

Back when I was still doing articles for the motoring beat, writers doing reviews and articles on certain car models generally relied on using a test drive unit for several days or the weekend. Nowadays, certain brands let you take the car for a spin.

Unlike today’s techie drivers and writers, my age group studied and reported on cars based on “experiential” observations from driving the cars. We wrote about how nice the ride was, price versus quality, fuel efficiency, carrying capacity, interiors and amenities.

Back then, motoring journalists would do what they could to be the first in line for a test drive and often there would be a pool of drivers but only one or two available units. Today, my former colleagues complain that being a motoring journalist now requires commitment.

With so many car brands and models now in the Philippines, there are not enough days to test drive the units. One writer confessed to me yesterday that he only attends the significant or stable brands because test drives and travels are not as easy on the body as they used to be.

Based on experience, if you are seriously considering buying a new vehicle, it will be excruciating and full of questions. IT’S OK. Buying a new car is like getting married with an option to divorce. But it will still cost you! Choose well, Grasshopper.

*      *      *

E-mail: u[email protected]