Dongfeng Motors (DFM) Philippines staged a unique event to unveil a new line-up of high-tech, sustainable vehicles for its “Drive Your Friend” campaign last May 2, 2024, at the Metrotent Convention Center in Ortigas.
Merging the thrill of a car reveal with musical theater, the launch presented the Aeolus Huge, Forthing Friday, and Nanobox, along with new models Rich 7, Nammi, Forthing U-Tour, MHero, and Aeolus Mage, in a festive showcase.
This event served as an opportunity for Dongfeng Philippines to share its milestones over the past six months with the motoring public. The event was graced by the chairman of Legado Motors, Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, along with the board and executives led by its president and CEO Wilbert Lim, deputy CEO Brennan Singson Lim, and partners of the Dongfeng Philippines Management Consortium.
“Within just six months of operations, Dongfeng Motors has successfully penetrated the Philippine market, established a strong presence and gained traction among consumers,” said Brennan Lim during the event. “Despite being a new player in the industry, our sales performance has exceeded expectations, demonstrating the market’s positive reception of the Dongfeng Motors brand.”
The company’s focus on sustainability, exceptional quality, and customer centricity has led to notable achievements in market penetration, product launches, sales performance, dealer network expansion, brand recognition, and customer satisfaction over the past six months.
Dongfeng Philippines also introduced the newly formed Team Dongfeng under Legado Motors, comprised of industry veterans and new managers who will lead the brand in the Philippine motoring landscape. It will be headed by its new managing director, Atty. Albert Arcilla.
“Dongfeng Philippines is offering the widest variety of propulsion choices to Filipino customers who may or may not be ready for that radical switch to electric just yet,” Arcilla said. “This has enabled us at Team Dongfeng Philippines to choose the most suitable body-powertrain combinations for our local conditions and market preferences, resulting in one of the widest segment coverages of any new brand in the Philippines.”
Following the previously-launched Aeolus Huge, Forthing Friday, and Nanobox, the DFM Nammi is the brand’s compact electric vehicle ideal for daily city driving. With a maximum range of 430 km and a 30-minute fast-charging capability, the Nammi comes with a price tag of only P1,238,000.
Fueled by the success of the Aeolus Huge, the Aeolus Mage takes the spotlight as DFM’s active crossover SUV. Combining a sporty appearance and spacious interior with a 13.2” Super HD Touchscreen Display and Gamepad multi-functional steering wheel, the Mage is powered by the 1.5-liter MachPower Turbo engine that can take you confidently through urban roads or even harsh driving conditions, and is priced at only P1,249,000.
Meanwhile, the new Rich 7 pickup truck showcases a 2.3-liter turbo diesel engine with front and rear differential locks, an Off Road Protection Frame with Off Road Info Displays, and 540-degree cameras.
The product of a joint venture with Nissan, the Rich series brings technology to the fore in a heavy-duty package, starting at P1,298,000.
The stylish Forthing U-Tour MPV likewise takes centerstage with its yacht-like interior, spacious seating capacity for the whole family, and luxury amenities like captain seats. Served up in a 1.5-liter turbocharged gas engine that produces 197hp and 285Nm of torque, and measuring longer than the Toyota Innova, this bang-for-the-buck package is available starting at P1,358,000.
Heralding DFM’s commitment to pushing technology, the fully-electric military-inspired MHero SUV packs a punch with its smart off-road architecture, intelligent cockpit design, and 500-km range. Its engine produces a staggering 1000HP with rear-wheel steering to get drivers off any murky situation. Priced from SRP P6,980,000, the MHero is designed for adventurers who want flexibility and flair on and off the road.
Prior to the event, the new models were teased in anonymous billboards displayed around Metro Manila featuring a chat group of friends with names like Rich, Nanie, Nammie, Hugo, Tori, Margo, Fred, and Hero, planning their next road trip. The barkada’s mysterious conversation set the tone for the “Drive Your Friend” campaign and highlighted the different personalities embodied by DFM’s new models.
The launch event touched on drivers’ intimate connections with cars to highlight the drivability, comfort, and style of each model in the line-up.
Special guests such as Filipino actor and director John Prats, DJ Mars Miranda, gamer Cher Barnacha, and other VIPs joined in to share their own stories of driving their friend.
Legado Motors, Inc. is the Philippine distributor of Dongfeng Motor Corporation. During the event, Lim was joined by co-distributors Dexter Co and Rachel Villanueva from Autoflare, and Dr. Jose and Dra. Juanita Chua from Dreamcar Unlimited.
For his part, Atty. Arcilla reiterated the brand’s commitment to strong after-sales support: “Dongfeng automobiles work to excel in the various areas of its operations by taking critical steps to ensure the ownership experience, by establishing an efficient aftersales support group that will be responsible for the technical requirements and parts availability for all vehicles sold in the Philippines.”
The new DFM models can be viewed at showrooms in Pasig, Alabang, Cavite, Marcos Highway, Pampanga, and Tarlac.
