Toyota and Chery Choose Hybrid Vehicles Over BEVs Due to Limited Charging Infrastructure in Philippines
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) unveiled its sixth hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Yaris Cross. Chery Auto Philippines (CheryPH) also introduced their Tiggo 5X and Tiggo 7 hybrid models alongside their internal combustion engine counterparts.
Toyota and Chery take an analogous approach to carbon neutrality in the Philippines due to the slow expansion of charging infrastructure and customer preferences for internal combustion engines (ICE engines). There are no robust EV or fuel economy mandates in place either.
Toyota’s Hybrid Strategy
TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto stressed the company’s belief in using multiple approaches to carbon neutrality. One such pathway involves offering customers electrified vehicles as one way they can help build a more sustainable future.
“In the Philippines, we recognize a critical need to offer additional options as charging station networks continue to develop,” Okamoto noted to CleanTechnica. While she said her trust in government and private actors’ actions to develop the infrastructure necessary for carbon emission reductions, they recognized it was also up to each person individually to take steps towards this end.
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Toyota Philippines simultaneously launched the Yaris Hybrid on August 4 at all 72 dealerships nationwide. At starting price of P1,199,000 ($21,500), this affordable “electrified” car represents one of the most cost-effective EV solutions currently available to Filipino buyers.
CheryPH, however, is facing an evolutionary phase as they adapt to offering electrified vehicles in their market. Their electrification strategy includes offering battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and mild hybrids as electrification solutions.
“By offering all power options, we are providing our customers with the optimal choices to promote electrification along with traditional internal combustion engines,” stated Rommel Sytin, United Asia Automotive Group Inc (UAAGI) Chairman.
Chery 5X Pro, a compact crossover vehicle, costs P1,140,000 ($20,500). It comes equipped with a 1-million-kilometer engine warranty, five years/150,000 km general vehicle warranty, free preventive maintenance service (PMS), and three years of roadside assistance coverage.
Chery claims its updated Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid SUV features a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a 48-volt mild hybrid system that produces 154 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque, along with nine-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT). Chery asserts that this powertrain reduces emissions by 14 percent while cutting fuel consumption by 13 percent; its price point is P1,350,000 ($24,300).
Toyota and Chery are taking a measured approach towards electrifying their lineups in the Philippines due to limited charging infrastructure and market preference for internal combustion engine (ICE) engines. Both companies remain committed to offering electrified vehicles to their customers, believing that, eventually, demand will shift toward these models.
