In a bold statement of intent, Rommel Sytin, United Asia Automotive Group Inc. Chairman, said that Chery Philippines is mulling over the idea of locally assembling electric vehicles in the future. 

Sytin's statement was in response to a question about Chery Philippines' intent on continuing and expanding its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle range in the country during the press conference of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, or CAMPI. 

The recent sales success of the Chery Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV has seen a rise in demand for other electric vehicle models in Chery's lineup. "We just introduced the Tiggo8 Plug-in Hybrid, and the acceptance was very good," says Sytin. "It is our commitment to build to the benefit of the users of alternative energy," he adds. 

"We believe that our PHEV technology is at the core of that solution. Our long-term aim is for sustainability as well as mobility. Also, hopefully we will be able to assemble electric vehicles in the future. With Senate Bill 1382 being approved as a law, I hope all the groundwork will be laid down, as well as the other CAMPI manufacturers will look into it," shares Sytin. 

Chery currently has several EVs on sale in China. One of the most popular is the Chery QQ Ice Cream. The 2,980mm long budget EV that resembles a modern-day Japanese Kei Car is a basic, city-based electric vehicle. Around 15,000 reservations were taken in China in the first 24 hours of its first day of pre-sales in October 2021. 

It has a 9.6 kWh or a 13.9 kWh lithium-ion battery which can give 119 or  169 kilometers, respectively. The 27-horsepower electric motor is good for a top speed of 100 km/h. But what makes it an attractive proposition is its price. The entry-level spec in China costs an equivalent of roughly Php 243,000 with government subsidies. Factor in freight, taxes, and other expenses plus a respectable dealer margin; it could come out in Php 500,000 and up if it gets sold here. 

Having a facility that manufactures these mini-EVs can further reduce costs and even provide jobs for our countrymen. And with a host of incentives available in Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), Chery Philippines and even other brands with an inkling of manufacturing EVs in the country can benefit from local production. UAAGI put up a manufacturing plant for Foton in Clark, and they can likely do the same for Chery. 

Do you think Chery Philippines' plan to assemble affordable mini-EVs locally will trigger the mass adoption of electric vehicles in the country?