AC Motors is reinforcing its commitment to electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the Philippines with the introduction of the latest addition to the BYD lineup, the Atto 3 hatchback. Simultaneously, the company plans to establish 100 charging stations across selected Ayala Land properties and projects nationwide by 2024.
Mobility Access Philippines Ventures Inc. (MAPVI), the official distributor of BYD in the country, has ambitious goals — targeting 35 percent market share in the passenger EV segment by next year.
The Atto 3, powered by BYD’s proprietary lithium-iron- phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery, offers an impressive range of 480 km for the Premium variant and 410 km for the standard Dynamic model. With a maximum power output of 204 ps and peak torque of 310 Nm, the EV delivers rapid acceleration, achieving 0-100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds.
Innovative features include a first-in-class 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment display, a panoramic sunroof, and premium leather trim for the Premium version. Safety is prioritized with a comprehensive suite of features, including Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, LED illumination, and various ADAS features.
With competitive pricing starting at P1,598,000 (approximately $28,800) for the entry-level Atto 3 Dynamic and P1,798,000 (~$32,400) for the Atto 3 Premium, these vehicles are positioned to capture market share from competitors like the Nissan LEAF and hybrids such as the Corolla Cross.
Dedicated to electrification
Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of AC Motors, expressed the company’s dedication to building essential EV infrastructure to drive sales. The company aims to become the leading EV platform in the Philippines, aligning with the government’s goal of transforming half of all cars on the roads into electric vehicles by 2040. The charging stations, to be built at Ayala Land properties, will be free to use for all EV owners for a year.
AC Motors, under the Ayala-led initiative, already operates 20 charging stations, primarily in Manila and major cities in Luzon. Plans include expanding this infrastructure on every Ayala estate and beyond to match anticipated growth in EV sales.
BYD Managing Director for the Philippines and Singapore, James Ng, highlighted the success of the Atto 3 in various markets. The target customer base includes young professionals and working adults with small families. Emphasizing the convenience of the Atto 3, it is equipped with a 7kW home charger capable of overnight charging from 25 percent to full in about five hours.
Getting to 35% market share
BYD President Toti Zara outlined plans to achieve the 35% market share target with additional dealerships and showrooms set to be added by the first quarter of 2024. The company aims to enhance its presence in the EV space and maintain its commitment to quality and service. Aside from establishing 100 charging stations and completing another 19 dealerships by 2024, Zara also emphasized a shift in consumer attitudes towards EVs.
“Two years ago, only 24 percent of consumers were willing to consider an EV. Two months ago, we did another research study and found that 84 percent are now willing to get an EV. With this data, we feel we’re at that inflection point and we’d like to ride that wave,” Zara told CleanTechnica during the launch of the BYD Atto 3 crossover.
Anticipating a surge in demand, Zara projected that the number of passenger EVs in the market would grow from a few hundred units to as much as 5,000 by 2024. Currently, BYD Philippines has two dealerships, one each in Makati City and Quezon City, and the response from dealer applicants has been highly positive.
In a report by Irma Isip that appeared in Malaya Business Insight, Zara highlighted the advantageous business model for BYD dealerships, emphasizing that the margins for BYD cars are higher than for traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Unlike traditional models where dealers earn more on after-sales services, EVs are more volume-driven, with minimal after-sales requirements.
The Atto 3, BYD’s latest model, is positioned as an affordable option, thanks to BYD’s ownership of the underlying technology. Zara noted that the acquisition price is reasonable, and the overall cost of ownership is significantly lower, with owners expecting to spend only 20 percent of the normal maintenance costs of an ICE vehicle. Additionally, BYD includes a home charger with each vehicle purchase, offering owners a personalized “gas station” at home.
While public charging stations are a supplement, Zara outlined a strategy to educate consumers about the benefits of charging. He envisions EVs like the Atto 3 becoming the daily drivers for commuters once they realize their convenience and cost-effectiveness.
MAPVI also plans to introduce BYD’s plug-in hybrid technology to the Philippines, irrespective of whether hybrids receive tariff preferences similar to pure electric vehicles. Under Executive Order No. 12, which adds incentives to those already provided for under the Electric Vehicle Development Act of the Philippines, no tariffs are levied on pure electric vehicles but hybrids do not enjoy such exemptions.
Zara stressed that hybrids could provide an alternative for consumers who might still be hesitant about fully transitioning to EVs. The company is actively studying the introduction of hybrid models, underscoring its commitment to offering diverse and sustainable mobility solutions in the Philippines.
