BAIC PH returns, now under UAAGI

United Asia Automotive Group Incorporated (UAAGI) is the new distributor of BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company Limited) vehicles in the Philippines.

The ISO-certified multi-brand firm has added the Chinese automotive brand (which was then under Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation of George Chua) to its stable, joining the Foton (which is BAIC’s sister company), as well as Chery, and recently, Lynk and Co.

Leading BAIC Philippines are UAAGI Managing Director Froilan Dytianquin, Chief Marketing Executive Lyn Buena, and BAIC Brand Head and General Manager Christopher David Yu — all under the helm of the firm’s chair, Rommel Sytin.

“The time is ripe for us to bring in what would be our fourth automotive brand and we are convinced that BAIC vehicles offer the right mix of design, features, technology, and pricing in its product line to make a strong impact on the Philippine market,” Sytin said.

For his part, Dytianquin echoed Sytin’s enthusiasm towards the newly-acquired distributorship.

“We are very excited to offer BAIC’s state-of-the-art portfolio of world-class SUVs and crossovers. We can’t wait for Filipinos to experience the traits, characteristics, and capabilities of these exceptional SUVs firsthand,” he claimed.

5-model roster

Further, BAIC Philippines also previewed its five-model lineup for the local market which consists of sport utility vehicles (SUV) and crossovers.

The multi-brand automotive distributor in the country shared that the BAIC B40 Ragnar, B80 Wagon, and B60 Beaumont (diesel hybrid) are all body-on-frame, four-wheel drive, turbocharged SUV models with engine displacements ranging from 2.0 up to 3.0 liters, can dish out 380-420 Newton-meters (Nm) of pulling power.

On the other hand, the monocoque-bodied crossovers BAIC X55 Verve and the X7 Grandeza are both fitted with 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engines that have a peak churn of 305 Nm of torque.

Here are the following indicative pricing of the aforementioned nameplates:

• B40 Ragnar: P2.4 million
• B60 Beaumont: P3.2 million
• B80 Wagon: P4.5 million
• X55 Verve: P1.4 million
• X7 Grandeza: P1.7 million

"We are proud to reveal our lineup of the world-class BAIC models and are confident that the Philippine market will appreciate the standout features and design of these first-rate SUVs and crossovers," Sytin noted.

Meanwhile Dytianquin expressed confidence in BAIC vehicles' technology and quality.

“We are excited to introduce BAIC Philippines and its full range of robust, modern, and rugged SUV options today, in anticipation of their debut next month at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show. We can't wait for Filipinos to experience the features and capabilities of these exceptional SUVs firsthand,” Dytianquin, he claimed.

Specifications of BAIC Philippines lineup are anticipated to be shared on its public launch at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show on April 4.

Photos from Jirehl Kent Flores, BAIC Philippines

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