GAC Emkoo Hybrid joins GS8 and Empow in Marikina family’s garage

A Marikina family’s decision to purchase a GAC Emkoo Hybrid in August 2026 brought its collection of GAC vehicles to three, following positive ownership experiences with the GS8 SUV and Empow sports sedan.

Business lawyer and motoring enthusiast Atty. Jian Manjares said the latest purchase came after his family compared several competing vehicles, with fuel efficiency, cabin space, ride comfort and safety among their main considerations.

The Emkoo Hybrid replaced an aging diesel SUV and now serves as his mother’s daily vehicle for trips between Manila and Pasay.

“My mother needed a smooth, fuel-efficient daily driver that didn’t compromise on comfort or safety,” Manjares said.

The family’s experience with GAC began well before the latest purchase.

Manjares first became interested in the Chinese automaker in 2018 after seeing the original GS8 on Philippine roads. His interest in vehicle engineering led him to study the brand’s platforms and mechanical design.

In 2023, the family reserved the second-generation GS8, taking delivery in June that year.

The seven-seat SUV became their vehicle for airport transfers, out-of-town journeys and weekend errands. Its cabin space and highway performance convinced Manjares that the brand deserved further consideration.

“When you carry your entire family on long trips, space, safety, and ride comfort are non-negotiable,” he said.

The experience influenced his next purchase in January 2024, when he chose the GAC Empow as his personal vehicle.

Manjares had considered several established luxury sports sedans but eventually selected the Empow for its handling and practicality.

The sedan now serves him on daily commutes, badminton training sessions and professional trips to destinations such as Subic and Tagaytay.

“What I really wanted was an ‘everyday sports car,’ agile and dynamic, yet practical for daily driving. The Empow’s responsiveness hit that exact sweet spot,” he said.

His interest in vehicle mechanics also influences how he assesses a car. Manjares occasionally performs minor maintenance himself and regularly discusses engine design, suspension systems and structural engineering with dealership technicians.

He believes GAC’s strengths lie in its mechanical fundamentals rather than an extensive collection of electronic features.

“GAC cars aren’t as flashy, not much ‘candy features’,” he said. “But they get the fundamentals right: the driving dynamics, the quality of the parts, the engine, the platform.”

Aftersales service has been another important consideration in the family’s successive purchases.

Manjares brings his vehicles to GAC Pasig and GAC Quezon Avenue for maintenance. On one occasion, GAC Pasig provided a courtesy vehicle while his Empow underwent inspection and routine servicing.

He also recalled receiving assistance from a service adviser during a heavy rainstorm after encountering a minor vehicle-locking problem.

GAC Philippines president Calvin Cheng said customers who repeatedly choose the brand after years of ownership provide valuable feedback on its engineering and service operations.

“When passionate, analytical enthusiasts put our vehicles through rigorous everyday use and choose to come back time and again, it is the ultimate testament to our engineering and our commitment to customer care,” Cheng said.

GAC Philippines currently operates 33 dealerships nationwide and maintains a local parts warehouse to support servicing and repairs.

The company also provides two years of complimentary roadside assistance, with warranty coverage depending on the vehicle model and powertrain.

Its wider lineup includes conventional gasoline vehicles, hybrids and fully electric models under the GAC Motor, AION and HYPTEC brands.

For Manjares, the family’s three purchases were made at different times to meet different driving requirements. The GS8 handles family duties, the Empow serves as his daily sedan, while the Emkoo Hybrid provides a more economical commuting option for his mother.

Their experience with the vehicles and the dealership network ultimately influenced the decision to choose GAC for a third time.