New Omoda&Jaecoo EVs steal the spotlight at Auto Focus

There was a steady queue of cars rolling past a sprawling, makeshift path around the Mall of Asia concert grounds Thursday. For a few days, instead of artists, vehicles of all sorts were taking the centerstage pulling in the crowd.

Omoda&Jaecoo managed to steal the spotlight that afternoon with its three-act offering: The electric vehicle SUVs Omoda E5 and Jaecoo EJ6; and the gas-fed Omoda C5.

These three models were first seen during the Manila International Auto Show earlier this year. But this time, they were on offer for actual test drives— around the track and, like what this writer did, all over the MOA complex.

Now just to explain, Omoda&Jaecoo is an amalgamation of two car brands from China, Omoda and Jaecoo. It entered the local market this year, hoping to carve a niche against a deluge of other Chinese automakers.

Already, Omoda&Jaecoo has a strong presence in Southeast Asia, according to PR and events officer Yen Infantado.

With these three modes, the brand is eyeing a share of the Philippine car industry. They hope to put these on sale as early as January.

Meantime, we got to choose which model to drive. Off-hand, it was the Jaecoo EJ6 that struck this writer the most. Its white version—with its black lines and accent—calls to mind the sexy and sinister Storm Troopers.

Still, the clear, bold lines provide this all-wheel SUV a respectable profile, including the hidden door handles popularized by the Range Rover Velar.

“It’s for aesthetics and functionality as well,” said product manager Christian Arga, who provided the car specs from the passenger side.

All through the busy roads of the complex, Arga discussed how the Jaecoo EJ6 has a dual-motor, all-wheel with nine driving modes, including customized, beach and muddy terrains.

It has a column shifter next to the steering wheel where the wiper controls usually are. Now to control the wiper as well as the mirrors and windows, you have to use the screen.

But hey, you can also tinker with its other features through voice commands. “Hey, Jaecoo,” said Arga. “Open the sunroof.” And the cloudy skiy revealed itself.

If you feel the cabin is too hot (or cold), or maybe you want to change the ambient lights, or open the windows, all you have to do is ask—literally.

It has a 12-speaker Infinity sound system and a wireless charger that works best—for Chinese-made smartphones, but of course.

One full charge is enough to take you 421 kilometers, according to Arga. It can go from a standstill to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 150 kph (not bad for a boxy all-wheel-drive SUV).

If you charge at home with zero charge, it would take 12 hours through AC; but DC, from 30 percent to 80 percent, you would need just 30 minutes.

Arga said they had a computation that allows owners to reach 421 kilometers for P897, provided that you charge at home. That’s a strong case for EVs in general.

As for the price, he said the manufacturers plan to sell it below P1.9 million depending on the market study they are finalizing.

Not bad, at all, for the brand’s initial salvo. — BM, GMA Integrated News