菲律賓電動車市場：插電混合動力車引領潮流

Two major vehicle launches in Manila recently proved that automakers are looking more at plug-in hybrids than pure electric vehicles due to a lack of charging infrastructure across the country. Later this week, Toyota Motor Philippines Ltd. (TMP) unveiled its sixth hybrid model, the Toyota Yaris Cross, adding it to its internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid models in the local model lineup. Likewise, last week Chery Auto Philippines (CheryPH) unveiled its Tiggo 5X and Tiggo 7 hybrid models, alongside its internal combustion engine-powered counterparts. Although Chery and Toyota have wildly different numbers of vehicles sold, in the Philippines, the two companies have adopted similar strategies in terms of electrification. Toyota holds a 34 percent market share in the country, equivalent to 174,000 vehicles sold in 2022. Chery posted 143 percent growth in the compact and midsize SUV segment, but remains relatively small. However, the two companies are taking a similar approach to carbon neutrality due to the slow growth of charging infrastructure in the country and the market’s continued preference for internal combustion engines. The country’s regulatory requirements for electric vehicles or fuel economy are also relatively unclear.

Why do these two companies prefer to promote plug-in hybrid models in the Philippine market? Toyota believes the growth in demand for hybrids is driven by practicality and “life-enhancing technologies” tailored for today’s multi-passion driver. Therefore, Toyota is committed to providing customers with hybrid electric vehicle options. At the same time, when CheryPH released two plug-in hybrid models of Tiggo 5X and Tiggo 7, it also made it clear that it will provide a variety of electric vehicle options, including battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and mild hybrid vehicles. Both parties recognize that offering a variety of power options can help strike a balance between carbon neutrality and internal combustion engines.

In short, the charging infrastructure in the Philippines is still in the development stage, so plug-in hybrid vehicles have become the main choice for car companies. Although Toyota and CheryPH have different strategies in the electric vehicle market, they are both committed to providing car owners with choices and promoting the electrification process. Whether it is Toyota’s Yaris Hybrid or CheryPH’s Tiggo series, they provide Filipino consumers with more affordable “electrification” options. #MYEV #买电车 #美国队captain MYEV #安安逸民宿 #gamalens