Honqi officially opens in the Philippines

IF the Philippines and other nations have flag carriers that represent their countries in commercial flights, then China stands out as possibly the only nation globally to have its national flag represented by an automobile brand. This distinction belongs to the brand Hongqi (pronounced hong-chee), whose name literally translates to «red banner» in Chinese. This name not only reflects the color of China's flag but also symbolizes resilience, strength, and grandeur, making a bold statement in the automotive industry both locally and globally.

So, given its Chinese origin, Hongqi ensured that its launch date in the Philippines aligned with cultural beliefs. The event itself was marked by a marching band performance and the closure of half of 27th Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). The launch event, which took place on Sept. 15, 2023, also coincided with the end of the ghost month, a period of significance in the lunar calendar for Filipino-Chinese communities and businesses.

The E-HS9 7-seater Executive has a range of 400 km and is priced at P4.78 million. EVOxTerra Inc. executives headed by its president, Rashid Delgado (left), and vice president and general manager Robert Shaw. This H9 flagship 50TD 4-seater 3.0-liter supercharged V6 sells for P8.08 million. PHOTOS BY ALFRED MENDOZA

In keeping with the theme of consistency and alignment, Hongqi's flagship dealership is located on the ground floor of the Asian Century Center Building, situated at the intersection of 27th and 4th Streets in BGC. The showroom is impressive, boasting a well-finished and spacious interior with ample lighting — a fitting environment for a brand aiming to exude nobility.

As attendees awaited the program's commencement, a marching band began