By VJ Bacungan
GAC Motor Philippines is welcoming the upcoming Year of the Wood Dragon with a ferocious marketing strategy that includes launching six all-new cars.
Franz Decloedt, the Chinese carmaker’s brand head, previewed two of these models at the company’s media thanksgiving party on Wednesday at The Manila Peninsula. One was the M8 luxury minivan, which is poised to take on the Toyota Alphard, while the other was the M6 Pro that serves as the successor to the GN6 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
Although Decloedt stayed mum about the four other cars, he said in a speech that GAC Motor Philippines has grown immensely since multinational automotive distributor Astara took over the brand on December 2022. The brand has consistently recorded triple-digit year-to-date growth rates in 2023.
The veteran auto executive, who was appointed to his new post on August 2023, added that GAC Motor Philippines plans to nearly double its dealer network in 2024. He said the brand had 20 dealerships by the end of 2023 and intends to add 15 more by next year.
Alphard rival
The GAC M8, which the company had announced would launch on March 2024, is the company’s entry into the luxury van segment. Externally, it features a massive chrome waterfall grill flanked by LED headlights and daytime running lights. More chrome is used to break up the M8’s van-like profile, while the polished 18-inch alloy wheels offer a more premium look than other GAC Motor models.
At the back, the LED taillights span the entire length of the tailgate. A subtle tailgate spoiler and silver trim on the lower bumper give the luxury van a more eye-catching look than even the Toyota Alphard. Inside, the M8 is loaded to the roofliner with goodies like a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 14.6-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and an eight-speaker audio system. Rear passengers are naturally well cared for with standard features like a tri-zone climate control system, heated and cooled seats, a panoramic moonroof and two tray tables.
Powering the M8 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine producing 248 hp and 400 Nm of torque.
This is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
There is no word yet if the M8 will be offered with a hybrid powertrain like in other markets to make it more competitive with the electrified Alphard. Prices start at around P3 million for the entry-level GL variant and around P4 million for the GX Master variant.
A full 7-seater
Meanwhile, GAC Motor Philippines is taking on the very popular seven-seat MPV market with the M6 Pro, which replaces the capable but ageing GN6.
It features a prominent front grill with distinctive LED daytime running lights and headlights. Design touches like the chrome strip at the bottom of the doors, the beltline kink in the rear-quarter window and the large 18-inch alloy wheels help make the vehicle look less like an MPV.
Out back, large LED taillights take the full width of the tailgate and are complemented by a small tailgate spoiler and an attractive chrome strip at the bottom of the bumper.
The M6 Pro features a cavernous cabin with a 2-2-3 seating configuration. The gauges are displayed on a 7-inch screen, while the infotainment system uses a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay.
Other standard interior features include a dual-zone climate control system, leather upholstery, a 360-degree camera system and an eight-speaker sound system.
Powering the M6 Pro is a turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine pumping out 174 hp and 270 Nm of torque. This is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Two variants will be available once the MPV officially launches in 2024. These include the base model GS, which will cost around P1.2 million, and the top-spec GL that will be priced around P1.5 million.
Key rivals include the Hyundai Custin minivan and the Toyota Zenix MPV that were both launched this year.
GAC Motor Philippines said it is taking reservations for both models.
