Three GAC vehicles in one family’s garage might look like brand loyalty at first glance. But Atty. Jian Manjares says the choices came down to something more practical: how each vehicle performed in the roles his household needed it to fill.
The Marikina-based lawyer began looking into GAC in 2018, after spotting the original GS8. His family reserved the GS8 around April or May 2023 and took delivery in June. The seven-seater became their vehicle for airport runs, out-of-town drives and errands.
For Manjares, the GS8’s appeal was rooted in space, cabin comfort and its highway ride. He said the vehicle met their expectations, giving them confidence to consider another model from the brand.
That next purchase was the Empow, added to the garage in January 2024. Manjares had considered several luxury sports sedans, but wanted something he could use every day without giving up an engaging drive. The Empow became his car for city traffic, solo trips, badminton training and tournaments, and drives to Subic and Tagaytay.
He describes it as an “everyday sports car,” offering the responsiveness and agility he wanted alongside daily-driver practicality.
The family’s latest addition, the Emkoo Hybrid, arrived in August 2026. It was chosen for his mother’s commute between Manila and Pasay, following comparisons and test drives. According to Manjares, the family assessed fuel efficiency, interior space, ride comfort and whether a spare tire was included. He said the Emkoo Hybrid came out ahead, although it was not initially their first choice.
The ownership experience, as GAC presents it, has been shaped by after-sales support. Manjares cited service visits at GAC Pasig and GAC Quezon Avenue, including a courtesy vehicle during Empow maintenance and prompt assistance after a locking issue during heavy rain.
His approach to cars is hands-on. He takes an interest in engine design, suspension and vehicle structure, and sometimes handles repairs himself. For him, the fundamentals matter more than novelty features.
GAC Philippines President Calvin Cheng said repeat purchases from owners who put vehicles through daily use reflect the company’s engineering and customer-care efforts. GAC says its support includes 33 dealerships, a parts warehouse and two years of free roadside assistance.
Three vehicles do not automatically make a brand right for every buyer. But the Manjares family’s experience offers a look at how repeat business can be earned: by matching a vehicle to a real need, then backing ownership with service when it matters.
Autocar’s Take
There is a useful distinction between buying a car because of its badge and returning to a brand because the vehicles have worked for your household. The Manjares family’s three-model garage is GAC’s story to tell, but the details that matter are refreshingly ordinary: a seven-seater for family trips, a sedan that makes daily driving more engaging, and a hybrid for a parent’s commute. Those are different jobs, and no single model has to do everything. The account also underlines why after-sales support belongs in the buying decision, not as an afterthought. That is where trust in the brand and its services is tested over time.
