On April 10, the 2025 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) officially kicked off. GAC’s star model, the M8 PHEV—a benchmark in the new energy luxury MPV segment—had its Philippine debut, alongside the GS3 EMZOOM, M6 PRO, GS8, EMKOO HYBRID, and AION Y. This showcase highlighted GAC’s expanding Philippine portfolio and its strategic shift toward electrification.
The event gathered distinguished guests, including Wang Shunsheng, Vice President of GAC INTERNATIONAL; Dingdong Dantes, GAC brand ambassador and Philippine cinematic icon; Rafael Sainz, Global COO of Astara (GAC’s authorized distributor); and over a hundred media representatives and VIPs, all witnessing a new milestone for GAC in the Philippines.
At the auto show press conference, Wang Shunsheng delivered a speech and wished the exhibition great success. He stated, The M8 PHEV, with its exceptional driving range, cutting-edge safety features, and first-class comfort, will cater to the diverse travel needs of Filipino consumers and earn their trust. In 2025, GAC Motor will once again join hands with Dingdong Dantes, a national-level actor in the Philippines, to convey the value and charm of the GAC brand to Filipino consumers.
"Renewing this partnership marks an extraordinary journey," said Dingdong Dantes. "It's my honor to represent a brand that's redefining premium mobility through innovation. I deeply admire how GAC's products perfectly reflect the values we both stand for."
As a household name in the Philippines, actor and host Dingdong Dantes commands extensive influence and a devoted fan base. His inspiring image of optimism and relentless self-improvement resonates perfectly with GAC INTERNATIONAL's dedication to craftsmanship, which exemplifies excellence and uncompromising refinement.
During the previous collaboration, Dingdong Dantes not only starred in a series of immersive “people, cars, and life” campaigns - helping GAC INTERNATIONAL cultivate consumer interest in its Philippine vehicle portfolio - but also actively participated in GAC brand events, driving expanded market reach and consumer engagement.
This renewed partnership between GAC and Dingdong Dantes will leverage his celebrity influence to enhance the brand and boost sales, while also fostering two-way interaction with Filipino consumers and jointly enhance the brand value.
The centerpiece of MIAS was absolutely the M8 PHEV, a benchmark in the new energy luxury MPV category. As the crowning achievement of GAC—the Chinese “MPV Expert”—the M8 PHEV， combined superior craftsmanship spirit and innovative technology. It became the first choice of Filipino consumers both business elites and family users.
Dantes is to become the first M8 PHEV owner in Philippine. He revealed his personal connection: " Since 2023, I’ve driven always the GS8—powerful, smart, smooth, and, most importantly, safe. Now, it's time for a perfect upgrade – I'm so proud to reserve the first M8 PHEV in Philippine."
Powered by a 2.0T intelligent plug-in hybrid system with a 2-speed DHT, the M8 PHEV offers a 106 km WLTC pure-electric range for daily commutes and a combined range of 1,032 km. Besides, it’s luxury amenities include second-row aviation-style seats upholstered in million-HKD-grade semi-aniline leather, as well as equipped with L2 autonomous driving, the vehicle delivers a first-class travel experience.
The M8 PHEV is set to launch in the Philippines in the second quarter. Its arrival will not only redefine the luxury standard of the MPV market but also provide consumers with smarter, greener, and more sophisticated mobility experiences.
Since entering the Philippine market, GAC has always prioritized customer needs and steadily advanced its localization strategy. In terms of products, GAC has not only established a comprehensive product matrix that fully meets the needs of Filipino consumers for both household and business use, but also expanded its sales and service network by opening 32 sales outlets, allowing customers to experience the leading strengths of GAC products up close.
All these localization efforts paid off in 2024. GAC achieved the highest growth rate among CAMPI automotive brands—a staggering 65% year-on-year increase—and ranked 3rd in brand influence among all Chinese automakers.
In March 2025, GAC officially unveiled its “One GAC 2.0” globalization strategy, emphasizing localization—“Operating Locally, Integrated Locally, Serving Locally, Contributing Locally.” Guided by the “One GAC 2.0”strategy, GAC will accelerate its Philippine expansion through a richer product matrix, broader sales networks, and elevated services, aiming to become the preferred mobility partner for Filipino consumers.
Moving forward, GAC will leverage the Philippines as an important hub upholding its core values of “Top-tier Quality” and “Pioneering Technology” while prioritizing “Service First” and “Customer First”—showcasing Chinese smart manufacturing to the world and writing Chinese brands a new chapter among global automotive brands.