Well, it took Geely Philippines long enough. About two years after we said they needed a sub-compact crossover to penetrate the local market’s Top 5 sales-wise, they’ve finally done it. Set to launch soon in the Philippine market is the Geely GX3 Pro.
Of course, as with all of these things, nothing’s sure just yet. This is why Geely’s using the Manila International Auto Show to gauge interest, and this could be a preview of things to come for the Chinese car brand.
To be blunt, the Geely GX3 Pro has been around, in one shape or form, for some time. It debuted in the People’s Republic way back in 2017, but has received a variety of aesthetic and even name changes along the way.
For its most recent role (a rival to the likes of the Toyota Raize and Kia Stonic), Geely designers slapped on its new family grille. Apart from that, it looks every bit like a generic Chinese SUV—the kind you’d subconsciously think of when you think of the term, Chinese SUV.
That issue aside, the small SUV (4,005 mm in length, 1,760 mm in width, 1,575 mm in height, and a wheelbase at 2,480 mm), still manages to ride on 16-inch alloys with 205/60R16 tires, and get this, it does have four-wheel disc brakes.
Inside, features include the oh-so-common floating center infotainment screen (sized 8 inches), while the driver gets a 3.5-inch LCD panel nestled between the traditional analog gauges, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. Convenience features include push-button controls for its air conditioning, while safety features include dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, tire pressure monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Only the CVT variant gets stability control and hill start assist, however.
Speaking of transmission, the GX3 Pro is available in both 5-speed manual or CVT. But the sole engine is a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder making 102 horsepower and 142 Nm of torque. With a curb weight that maxes out at 1,215 kilograms, that’s plenty to go around.
If Geely Philippines does decide to bring in the GX3 Pro, we’d wager a price tag of less than P 700,000. If that’s possible, expect them to steal some sales not just from the Raize, Stonic, Tiggo 2 Pro, but it might even keep the Brio and Wigo company on the sales charts.
Chinese cars gaining grounds. Are they good enough to compete with the Japanese or still lacking in terms of refinement and reliability?
ReplyDeleteStuck???🤔🤔🤔pnoy carbuyers just want dont want to spend dear hard earned money to unreliable not durable china cars. In short di madaling maloko ng fancy fancy 😂😂😂
DeleteDear catching up fast, maybe in a decade or two the reliability of engines and transmission of homegrown china car brands would be at par with the japz and kpop. For now here in ph i think so far the most reliable among china cars is geely, but some prospective buyers were discourage with it not having apple carplay/adroid auto.
ReplyDeleteSeems like a last generation Geely product that's not up to par with the Emgrand, Coolray, and Okavango.
ReplyDeleteGood Point, it does seem like a model from an older platform. Just so it can meet the price point being targeted for now. How old na kaya this GX3Pro we will be having?
ReplyDeleteI mentioned it in the story...it was launched in 2017. Maybe the platform's even older.
DeleteThis is a cash grab from Geely. Chinese cars introduced in the mainland before 2018 are still old platforms and have boring me-too designs.
ReplyDelete@FPJ, still the original platform dates back to late 2000s (2008-2010). The Geely Panda back then was cute. The Emgrand before was almost similar to the early 2000s Altis. Still, this GX3 Pro uses a very old platform and as I have said... cash grab from Geely & Sojitz.
DeleteMaybe if they set up a manufacturing facility in country, only then will I consider buying Chinese. For obvious reasons.
ReplyDeleteMost chinese cars at MIAS are new models and goodlooking, itong kotching gx3 lang ang panget
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks better than Raize though. lmao
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