Among brands in the local automotive industry, BYD Philippines has posted one of the fastest market-share growth rates in a short period. From a new entrant in the local market, BYD, under the distributorship of AC Mobility, has become the 3rd best-selling automotive brand in the Philippines in just three years. To take a peek at what makes the brand appealing to many Filipino car buyers today, Autocar Philippines was invited to a bespoke drive organized by BYD Philippines to better appreciate its SUV lineup. AC Mobility planned a laid-back drive from one of its newest dealerships, BYD Taytay, to a relaxing one-day camping trip at Camp Hiatus in Tanay, Rizal.
The brand prepared the Atto 2, Sealion 5, Sealion 6 DM-i, Sealion 7, and Tang DM-i for the group to enjoy, taking turns driving through Rizal’s boondocks. The group, yours truly, was assigned to start the trip in the BYD Atto 2 EV, a full electric subcompact crossover SUV that fits as an ideal gateway to electrified mobility.
Riding shotgun, it was clear the Atto 2 is a solid choice for anyone in the market for their first EV. It offers everything one would need in an EV, all in a compact package that is very easy to drive, especially in crazy metro traffic. It was a good thing that we started the trip in the Atto 2.
Soon, we reached Brgy. San Luis in Antipolo, Rizal, which meant we had to switch from the Atto 2 to the Sealion 5 DM-i, and I finally jumped into the cockpit for driving duties. Driving through the Marilaque twisties with the Sealion 5 was such a treat. As much as an ideal daily driver for metro traffic, the Sealion 5 is an enjoyable, fun vehicle that could pretty much keep up even in spirited drives. As easy as it is to drive through horrendous everyday traffic, the Sealion 5 offered a pleasurable experience behind the wheel on the mountain road. It felt planted through turns while giving good road feedback – the steering felt light but not numb.
After a quick run through the twisties, we stopped at Palo Alto for another car change, and this time our group was assigned to a Sealion 6 DM-i. Without a doubt, the Sealion 6 DM-i is the best-selling BYD in the country. Just by the sheer number one you can see on the road, the BYD plug-in hybrid compact SUV has truly helped the local market transition into electrified mobility. And why the Sealion 6, you probably ask? Step inside the cabin, and you’ll understand right away. With a starting price of P1.598M, Sealion 6 buyers get outstanding value for money. It is easy to see why it performs well in today’s market. The combination of a proper crossover SUV size, modern exterior styling, a feature-packed premium interior, and an ideal-for-the-lack-of-EV-infrastructure PHEV system makes the Sealion 6 appealing to many Filipino buyers.
During this part of the bespoke ride event, we neared our destination, Camp Hiatus. We also had to take a few kilometers of rough road, which put the BYD SUVs to the test of their light trail capabilities. We even crossed a river to reach the campsite. Yes, all vehicles that participated crossed the river. This shows how BYD SUVs fit overlanding adventures, and it also shows how safe electrified vehicles are, even in floods that Filipinos are being psyched to be resilient to.
After the Touchdown Camp Hiatus, the group enjoyed a relaxing day-trip camp. Everyone enjoyed coffee, scrumptious steak, and even a golf simulator right in the middle of a camping ground. These amenities were powered by BYD’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, with the Atto 2 powering the mobile barista, a Shark 6 pickup truck for the steak grill, and the Sealion 7 for the golf sim.
After several hours of escaping the hustle and bustle, we left the camp and headed back to BYD Taytay. Our group hopped in a Sealion 7, the most powerful among the brand’s SUV lineup. Taking the same route back, we had the Sealion 7 cross the river as well, proving that it is more than just a go-fast SUV but can be adventurous, too. Among the vehicle lineup for the event, the Sealion 7 probably offers the most fun on a mountain road – intelligent all-wheel drive, 530 PS, 690 Nm of torque, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, and a high-performance braking system, go figure. Before heading straight to the dealership, we finally took the BYD Tang to BYD Taytay for a final car change.
At the top of the brand’s DM-i SUV range, the Tang offers the same premium mid-size crossover SUV vibe as the Sealion 7 while delivering the best of both worlds with its PHEV powertrain. Though much tamer power and torque-wise, the Tang is more than enough for fun drives on winding roads. The premium 7-seater PHEV edges out the Sealion 7 in versatility and practicality while offering the same premium feel, especially in the Philippine market where range anxiety is a real concern.
Ending the day back at BYD Taytay, my main takeaway, aside from the quick escape from the busy metro life, I was able to understand the rapid rise in sales of BYD in the Philippines. With its SUV range at the forefront, the brand has captured a significant share of the local automotive market, largely because of its value-oriented lineup. Just a few years ago, full-electric crossover SUVs at around 2 million pesos sounded impossible. Now, BYD is offering the Atto 2 full EV crossover starting at P1.338M. In addition, the brand is also leading in hybrid electric vehicles, addressing local EV charging infrastructure issues with PHEV offerings. Beyond being bang-for-the-buck, this short but meaningful trip also makes it clear that BYD SUVs can keep up with an adventurous lifestyle, as one would expect from an SUV.
