AC Industrials Launches Maxus as 6th Motoring Brand

AC Motors, the automotive distribution and retail group of AC Industrials of the Ayala Group of Companies, has launched Maxus Philippines, the sixth brand in the company's growing motoring portfolio following its shares in Honda and Isuzu and its acquisition of the local distribution of Volkswagen, Kia, and KTM motorcycles.

The Maxus brand traces its roots to as far back as the creation of the Leyland Steam Van in Great Britiain in 1896, followed by the start of Leyland Motors in 1907. This company eventually expanded its products to include sedans, buses, and other commercial vehicles throughout its long history. The Maxus nameplate first appeared with the launch of the 'Maxus' prototype LD100 van at the end of 2004.

Leyland DAF Vans (LDV), a successor company to Leyland Motors, launched the Maxus brand in 2004. In 2010, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) acquired the assets of the LDV Group and continued the Maxus brand which has current distributorships in Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Africa, among others. In the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, Maxus vehicles continue to be sold under the LDV brand.

Through this 123-year history, Maxus has become one of Europe's most influential and recognized commercial vehicle brands, and a leader in the design, production, and distribution of international commercial vehicles.

It is this European heritage, coupled with the powerful global support of SAIC, that provides AC Industrials with the confidence to introduce the Maxus automobile brand in the Philippines. AC Industrials and Maxus Philippines Chief Executive Officer Arthur Tan said, "The Maxus brand continues AC Industrials' strategy of providing automobiles and motorcycles that not only speak of the rich heritage of their countries of origin, but are also the best examples of a global collaboration in vehicle engineering, design, assembly, and distribution."

During the Maxus launch program, which was themed 'Max It Out!,' Maxus Philippines introduced the initial models to be offered locally: the Maxus G10 and the Maxus V80 line of vans.

The Maxus G10 is a nine-seater MPV that offers spacious interior amenities, highlighted by adjustable seating for all seats, which includes four captain's seats in the second and third rows and 60:40 split rear bench seat with tumble function, a flexible and spacious cargo compartment, a seven-inch touchscreen radio with USB and Bluetooth and six-speaker system, a 220-volt power supply, and front and rear air-conditioning system.

The Maxus G10 features double-layer welding technology that meets European MPV active and passive safety standards, is equipped with driver, front passenger and side airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seats, ISOFIX Child Seats, and front and rear parking sensors. The G10 is fitted with a McPherson suspension at the front and 5-link coil springs at the rear, and chassis timing by Lotus and GM Pan-Asia, resulting in "increased stability and better handling."

Powered by a Euro 4-complaint, VGT-equipped 1.9-liter diesel engine that's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the G10 produces 148 hp at 4,000rpm and a maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,800 to 2,600rpm.

The G10 is being offered at a special introductory price of just PHP1.68 million.

As for the Maxus V80, it is available in either Comfort, Flex, or Transport configuration.

The V80 Comfort is a 13-seater van, making it ideal as a family van, a school bus, or a passenger shuttle service. Being the widest in its class, the V80 Comfort can be loaded to up to 1.1 tons, and is sufficiently powered by a 2.5-liter CRDI diesel engine with VGT that puts out 134 hp and 330 Nm of torque. The V80 Comfort's dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX, and rear proximity sensors offer maximum protection. The V80 Comfort is offered at PHP1.57 million.

The three-seater V80 Flex is the van has the same body dimensions, engine, safety features, and load capacity as the V80 Comfort, and is ideal for small-and-medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) as it has a spacious and flexible interior. The Maxus V80 Flex is available with a price of only PHP1.19 million.

Lastly, the V80 Transport offers an 18-seat passenger capacity which is ideal for the shuttle service business. It is equipped with the same engine and safety features of the other V80 variants and comes with a price of PHP1.288 million.

According to our source who is familiar with Maxus' local offerings, a 15-seater variant of the V80 Transport is due to arrive later this month although its price has yet to be determined.

The aftersales services of Maxus Philippines has its customers in mind as it has a periodic maintenance service (PMS) interval schedule at the first 5,000 kms and every succeeding 10,000 kms, or once a year, whichever comes first. This is more convenient and more cost-efficient compared to the industry-standard 5,000-km PMS interval. The general warranty is three years or 100,000 kms, whichever comes first. Maxus Philippines also offers a 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, a pick-up and delivery service for customers, and on-site servicing for corporate fleet accounts.

Maxus Philippines will soon establish a dealership network that will be accessible to customers right in the heart of Metro Manila. Already open is the Greenfield District Showroom and Service Center in Mandaluyong City--the first showroom and aftersales facilities. Soon, Maxus Philippines will bring the brand closer to customers with dealerships at ASEANA Manila Bay on Bradco Avenue in Paranaque City , on Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, and Cebu in the Visayas region. Maxus Philippines will also be appointing other dealers across the country following the establishment of its initial network.

"All of our automotive brands offer unique value propositions to particular segments of the motoring market, and we envision Maxus to be very competitive in the commercial vehicle category, particularly in the passenger van and MPV segments," said Maxus Philippines President Felipe Estrella. "Not only does its strength lie in transporting families, Maxus also adds a distinct proposition to cargo transport and shuttle services, offering our multitude of Pinoy small and medium-sized entrepreneurs the opportunity to get their shuttle and cargo businesses going in style, comfort, and power."

For more information on Maxus Philippines and the G10 MPV and the V80 Comfort, Flex, and Transport vans, log on to www.maxus.com.ph.