SOFT LAUNCH: Wuling Philippines displays Macaron and Gameboy Mini EVs at SM MOA until June 7, 2023

Electric vehicles (EVs) are slowly gaining popularity in the Philippine market as more and more manufacturers are bringing them in. Such is the case for mini EVs like the Jetour Ice Cream and the upcoming BAW Pony.

And now, Wuling has officially arrived with its Macaron and Gameboy Mini EVs. Both are already established names in their home market of China, with over 1.1 million units sold. 

Previously available only from grey market car dealers, the Wuling Mini EV is now being distributed by GRC Motors, which identifies itself as Wuling Philippines. The new distributor has published leaflets complete with vehicle specs and pricing information. They also have a special promo for both Mini EV variants valid until June 30, 2023.

A soft launch for Wuling

The mall display is a soft launch for the brand to get the Filipino market to become aware of these clean and affordable modes of transportation.

Wuling Philippines is set to launch in late June or early July, with its first dealership set to open in Makati.

We interviewed their interim CEO, Ray Chiu, and he claims that China's Wuling brand currently backs Wuling Philippines. It gives them access to better parts availability as they are still setting up the brand locally. 

Chiu also mentioned that all the Mini EVs in the country under Wuling are their latest generation, launched late in 2022. 

Wuling Macaron

The Wuling Macaron is the most affordable EV in the country, starting at ₱593,000 with its special promo introductory price. Its regular SRP is ₱663,000. 

Aside from its unique and youthful design, the Wuling Macaron ranges between 120 to 170 depending on driving conditions.

It is powered by an electric motor that produces 20kW or 27 PS and 85 Nm of torque. It also has a top speed of around 100kph.

In terms of entertainment, the mini EV doesn’t come with much besides Bluetooth connectivity, but it does come with power windows and cold aircon. 

It has a range of 170 kilometers, and It can be charged via a regular 220V socket which can charge the vehicle from zero to 100% in 9 hours.

It has a 3-year or 100,000 km vehicle warranty, while the battery has a 5-year warranty. 

Wuling Gameboy

If you are looking for a mini EV with more power and range than the Macaron, then the Wuling Gameboy is here to answer that call. 

It shares the same body as its Macaron counterpart but has around 300 kilometers worth of range. It also has a 30kW permanent magnet synchronous motor that's good for approximately 40 PS. Regarding torque, the Gameboy has 110 Nm, which is more than what certain gasoline-powered vehicles offer. 

The Wuling Gameboy can be plugged into any wall socket and will take about 8.5 hours to charge to 100% from zero. 

Like its Macaron stablemate, the Gameboy doesn’t come with much to offer in terms of entertainment features, only offering a radio with Bluetooth capabilities. 

As for its pricing, the SRP of the Wuling Gameboy starts at ₱893,000, but a special promo introductory price lowers it to ₱793,000, which translates to about ₱13,301 a month. 

It has a 3-year or 100,000 km vehicle warranty, while the battery has a 5-year warranty.

Both vehicles are also IP68 certified which means the battery packs come with enclosure to withstand 1.5 meter deep water for 30 mins. So, yes it can handle a flood just like any sedan or hatchback.

With its current discounts, Wuling Philippines is set to undercut its competition, especially against Jetour and BAW.

What about parts?

The Wuling Mini EVs require very little maintenance as a few moving parts need to be replaced. 

But for those worried, Wuling Philippines CEO Ray Chiu has told Autofun Philippines that the parts to maintain these vehicles are already in the country with another big shipment on the way.

We also asked if the language settings of the Mini Car would be changed to English, as we noticed that the display models still had Chinese. 

Chiu also assured us that the second batch of vehicles would be arriving soon, "But we will change the language to English to better suit the market,” he adds. 

What about dealerships?

Wuling Philippines is set to open its first dealership in Makati, with other locations like BGC being eyed. 

The Chinese brand did not reveal its expansion plan but told us to keep an eye on them in the next few years.

Are there financing options?

Wuling Philippines is partnered with AUB, which lets you get the Macaron for ₱9,947 a month and the Gameboy for ₱13,301 a month. Still, the Chinese brand is also open to working with other banks if the customer chooses a different financing option. 

Does having an official distributor make you want to seriously consider a Wuling Mini EV now?

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