Story & photos by Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes
WITH the aim to further strengthen the brand in the country, Bayan Automotive Industries Corp. (BAIC), the exclusive distributor of BAIC passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles and commercial vehicles, formally launched its flagship showroom along Chino Roces in Makati City.
With BAIC International President and CEO Dr. Haiyang Dong gracing the milestone event, the Chinese brand established a compelling stance of what it aspires to achieve in the coming years.
“We see a very promising future in this country. That’s why we are focusing on good facilities, creating good brand image, making available spare parts. What is important is that we lay a very solid foundation for our customers in the future,” Dong said in an interview with the media.
“The Philippines is a key market and a potential hub to service the Asean market,” he added.
The two-story showroom, which occupies a 1,200-square-meters space, is built in the bustling business district of Manila. It is designed to accommodate up to 12 vehicles with the goal of giving clients a firsthand feel of its stylish and cozy customer lounge, multiple sales offices and a comfortable after-sales service reception area.
With this, BAIC demonstrates its commitment to serve the needs of its customers and with their fullest capacity be able to supply the ongoing demands of the market. The same building also houses the Executive Office to oversee its day-to-day operations.
The flagship showroom in a way represents BAIC’s pledge to provide world-class service and guaranteed satisfaction to potential and existing clients. Thus, it is opening its doors for the Filipino who yearn for high-quality standard, yet affordable, products.
“With this, we target not just to meet the standards of BAIC globally but also the potential customers. That’s why everything here is made from state-of-the-art technology—from the cathedral ceilings all the way to its fire codes,” BAIC Philippines President George Chua said.
For the head honcho, the dealership will not only be a place for displaying its lineup of vehicles but also a venue for holding their own events, such as product launches, key-note announcements and the like.
“Also, we somehow create a footprint in the market, as this is located in the heart of the automotive row in Makati,” he added.
The launching ceremonies, which was well-attended by notable visitors from BAIC International, friends from media and auto industry, business partners, dealers and customers, also became the avenue to unveil their newest vehicle line up—the Bayanihan H5, the Freedom Mini Truck, MZ40, MZ45 Transporter, M20, X424 and the V8.
According to BAIC, with the current adjustments of the car market due to its compliance of the government’s new initiative toward more environment-friendly vehicles, they see their newly unveiled products taking flight.
“We feel that those opportunities are gaps that we can fill, especially with our Bayanihan H5 and the Freedom Mini Trucks,” Chua expressed.
“For those who need the functionality of a pick-up truck but don’t have the money for it, we can offer ours. These are urban workhorses are the ones that can be taken to the farms. They are turbo diesels that have automatic transmissions.”
Thus far, BAIC has nine showrooms all over the country in Makati, Taguig, Manila, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga and Davao. They also have 21 service centers.
When asked what their goal was in the coming years in the market, Chua fiercely averred: “To be number one” and to begin, the Chinese carmaker vows to double their sales volume by next year.
Image credits: Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes