Hongqi appoints PH distributor with first showroom in BGC opening soon

Chinese luxury car brand FAW Hongqi announced that it is entering the Philippine market with EVOxTerra as its official local distributor. This was revealed by the brand at a press conference held at the Transnational Diversified Group (TDG) In.Hub in Taguig. 

The Hongqi E-HS9. One of the brand's upcoming models for the local market

The first-ever local FAW Hongqi dealership will then be opened soon at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC). The brand also said that it is already in talks with other nationwide dealer groups for its future local expansion plans.  

With regards to its entry into the local automotive industry scene, FAW Hongqi Overseas General Manager Wang Zuoguan said that they are excited to provide Filipinos access to the company’s state-of-the-art design, luxury, and top-notch performance. 

E-HS9 from the rear

FAW Hongqi Southeast Asia General Manager Wang Dan, who unfortunately could not attend the brand’s press conference, said via recorded video that EVOxTerra was chosen as the brand’s first dealer partner because it shares FAW Hongqi’s commitment to “long-term environmental protection, green mobility, and sustainable development”.

In his address, Dan likewise added that FAW Hongqi considers the Philippines as a crucial market. This is on top of the fact that their products are already exported to more than 20 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. 

“With the country well on its way to recovery from the pandemic, we think this is an excellent time to further expand Hongqi’s global footprint,” said EVOxTerra Vice President and General Manager Robert Shaw.  

For its initial model offering, FAW Hongqi Philippines will be selling four models. These are classified as New Energy Vehicles (NEV) or electric cars, and internal combustion energy models (ICE). 

This picture hints that EVOxTerra will be providing charging devices for Hongqi models

One of these is the Hongqi E-HS9 electric vehicle (EV) crossover, first displayed at the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) held in October 2022.  

This EV crossover will then have a starting price of Php 4.980 million. Note that this is the discounted price for the said model after taking Executive Order (EO) No. 12 into consideration. To jog your memory, this EO temporarily removes import tariffs on EVs. 

A peek inside the E-HS9

For now, the brand hasn’t released further details for the Philippine-spec E-HS9. Hongqi did share, however, that the E-HS9 features European-inspired styling, and “very plush interiors.” The brand is likewise yet to divulge more details about the other three NEV or ICE models that it will be launching for the Philippine market in the future. 

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