A premier SUV, a daily sports sedan, and a smart hybrid crossover. One car-loving family, one brand, zero regrets.
Buying one car from a brand is a gamble. Buying two is a vote of confidence. Buying three means somebody’s mom now has a say in the matter.
That’s where Atty. Jian Manjares finds himself. He’s a Marikina-based business lawyer, a competitive badminton player, and the kind of car enthusiast who reads platform specs for fun. In August 2026 his family added the GAC Emkoo Hybrid to a garage that already holds a GAC GS8 SUV and a GAC Empow sports sedan. Three GACs, one household, and none of them bought on impulse.
Why did the family choose the GAC Emkoo Hybrid?
Here’s the plot twist: the Emkoo Hybrid wasn’t the favorite going in. When the family went shopping in August 2026 to replace an aging diesel SUV, they looked hard at rival brands. They made checklists, compared specs, and took test drives that checked fuel efficiency, interior space, ride comfort, and even whether the car came with a spare tire. (Yes, some cars don’t anymore. Yes, that matters.)
When the numbers came in, the Emkoo Hybrid won on the merits. It’s now his mother’s daily car for the Manila-to-Pasay commute.
“My mother needed a smooth, fuel-efficient daily driver that didn’t compromise on comfort or safety,” Atty. Jian says. “We thoroughly tested other options, but after seeing how everything stacked up, babalik at babalik pa rin pala sa GAC. Because our first two GACs had already proven their worth, choosing the Emkoo Hybrid was an objective, natural decision for our family.”
How it started: the GAC GS8 as the family hauler
The story goes back to 2018, when Atty. Jian first spotted the original GS8 on Philippine roads and started digging into the brand’s platform architecture, as one does. Ownership started for real when the family reserved the all-new GS8 around April or May 2023 and took delivery when it launched that June.
The seven-seater took on the jobs nobody else wants: airport runs, out-of-town trips, and weekend errands with the whole clan aboard. Its roomy cabin, solid build, and composed highway ride are what built the family’s trust in the brand.
“When you carry your entire family on long trips, space, safety, and ride comfort are non-negotiable,” he says. “The GS8 proved itself immediately, delivering zero regrets from day one.”
The GAC Empow: an “everyday sports car” for a lawyer who plays badminton
In January 2024, Atty. Jian crossed several legacy luxury sports sedans off his wishlist and bought the Empow. It’s now his main car. It handles Metro traffic, solo road trips, badminton training and tournaments, and work drives to Subic and Tagaytay. It’s at its best on open highways and winding mountain roads.
“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 says.
What does a car enthusiast actually think of GAC?
Atty. Jian does a lot of his own minor repairs and maintenance, so he judges a car from the inside out. Engine design, suspension setup, and build quality are what he talks about with service advisors and mechanics.
His verdict is refreshingly blunt. “GAC cars aren’t as flashy, not much ‘candy features,'” he says. “But they get the fundamentals right: the driving dynamics, the quality of the parts, the engine, the platform. Even the driving ergonomics are fundamentally right and correct.”
That’s high praise from someone who would rather inspect the suspension than the infotainment screen.
How is GAC aftersales service in the Philippines?
Loyalty is usually won or lost in the service bay, and this is where GAC sealed the deal. Atty. Jian services his cars at GAC Pasig and GAC Quezon Avenue, and both have met his high standards.
When his Empow went in for a detailed inspection and routine maintenance, GAC Pasig gave him a courtesy car, so his schedule didn’t miss a beat. Another time, a minor locking mishap struck in the middle of a heavy rainstorm. One call to his service advisor brought help right there and then. In Manila rainy season, that alone is worth a thank-you card.
What GAC Philippines says
Calvin Cheng, President of GAC Philippines, says discerning owners like Atty. Jian are the core of the brand’s growing momentum.
“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 says.
From curiosity to a three-car commitment
What started in 2018 as curiosity has become real repeat-customer confidence. The GS8 hauls the family, the Empow handles the daily drive, and the Emkoo Hybrid brings fuel efficiency. Each one has earned its parking slot through real-world use. With a service network that shows up when needed, GAC is now a fixture in the Manjares household. When good engineering meets dependable aftersales, loyalty tends to follow.
GAC draws on more than two decades of manufacturing partnerships with Toyota and Honda, and it’s growing fast in electrification and intelligent mobility. The brand sums up that mix in its tagline: Where Craft Meets Technology.
GAC Philippines warranty and support at a glance
GAC Philippines backs its owners with 33 dealerships nationwide, a dedicated local parts warehouse, two years of free roadside assistance, and warranties that vary by powertrain:
| Powertrain | Models | Basic warranty | Battery / electric drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICE | EMZOOM, All-New GN6 | 5 years or 150,000 km | n/a |
| EV | HYPTEC HT, AION UT, AION V | 8 years or 160,000 km | 8 years or 200,000 km (traction battery and electric drive) |
| PHEV / HEV | GS4 Max HEV, E8 HEV, GN8 PHEV, GS8 HEV | 5 years or 150,000 km | 8 years or 150,000 km (power battery, driving motor, motor control unit) |
Whichever comes first, applicable up to the specified milestone.
Frequently asked questions
What GAC models does Atty. Jian Manjares own?
Three: a GAC GS8 seven-seater SUV (2023), a GAC Empow sports sedan (2024), and a GAC Emkoo Hybrid crossover (August 2026).
Why did the family pick the GAC Emkoo Hybrid over rival brands?
After comparing fuel efficiency, interior space, ride comfort, and practical features like a spare tire, the Emkoo Hybrid came out ahead. The family’s good experience with their GS8 and Empow made the choice easier.
Where can GAC owners get their cars serviced in Metro Manila?
Atty. Jian uses GAC Pasig and GAC Quezon Avenue. GAC Philippines has 33 dealerships nationwide.
How long is the GAC hybrid battery warranty in the Philippines?
PHEV and HEV models come with an 8-year or 150,000 km warranty on the power battery, driving motor, and motor control unit.
How do I book a GAC test drive?
Visit a GAC dealership or go to gacgroup.com/en-ph/test-drive. Follow @gacmotorph on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
