2025: Year of hybrids for GAC Motor PH?

GAC could have an electrified 2025

GAC Motor has been steadily gaining popularity in the Philippine market. In terms of sales, the brand has continued its growth in 2024 as it already sold over 3,000 units from January to November – almost doubling the sales from the previous year.

After the introduction of the M6 Pro and M8 MPVs in 2024, GAC has also started to electrify its lineup with the Emkoo Hybrid. For 2025, however, GAC could be looking to expand electrification throughout its current model lineup.

We recently got hold of the latest list of recognized electrified vehicles from the Department of Energy, and we found out that there are three new additions from the GAC brand. Those include the Empow Hybrid, the GS8 Hybrid, and the M8 PHEV.

In its home market, the Empow Hybrid – like the Emkoo Hybrid – is powered by a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle naturally-aspirated engine that’s assisted by a battery-powered electric motor. Making a combined system output of 238 PS and 300 Nm of torque, the Empow’s hybrid motor makes more power than the existing 1.5-liter turbo.

While the displacement does not meet the requirements for the China-AFTA free trade, the fact that it’s a hybrid means it benefits from zero tariffs brought by PBBM’s EO 62. With the executive order still in place by at least 2028, it allows GAC to offer the Empow hybrid at a competitive price.

Meanwhile, the GS8 Hybrid could be offered as the new top-spec variant in the GS8 range. Based on the regulatory filing, the GS8 hybrid comes in AWD form and is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-four engine making 190 PS and 320 Nm of torque. According to the DOE list, the electric motor puts out a healthy 182 PS. Notably, the electrified GS8 uses the Toyota hybrid system (THS), which means it could be heavily geared towards efficiency.

The M8 PHEV, on the other hand, is essentially known as the E9 PHEV in its home market. Like the GS8, the 2.0-liter turbo makes 190 PS and 320 Nm of torque, and the electric motor puts out 182 PS. While regulatory filings did not include the combined system output, the Chinese market E9 PHEV makes 382 PS and an impressive 630 Nm of torque.

GAC Motor Philippines is yet to give any official announcements regarding these models, but we reckon they could highlight these models in their upcoming event in January 2025.