Yep! The Baojun EV SUV is coming soon to the Philippines!
Mikko David · Aug 27, 2023 06:00 PM
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GRC Motors, the official distributor of Wuling Electric Vehicles in the Philippines is now also the official distributor of Chinese small EV brand Baojun.
And arriving soon in the country is its adorable small EV SUV, the Baojun Yep! However, in the Philippines it will be known as the Baojun Yue.
According to Henry Chan, General Manager of Wuling Philippines, the company has been appointed by SAIC-Wuling-GM to bring in Baojun vehicles starting with the Yue. An image of the Yue with a “Coming Soon” tag is already on Wuling Philippines’ website.
The Baojun Yue exudes Suzuki Jimny vibes. PHOTO FROM BAOJUN
Technically a small city car with off-road pretensions, the Baojun Yue is a three-door EV crossover that is very similar in looks to the Suzuki Jimny.
Launched just last February 2023, the Yue has all the feels of a proper SUV with its boxy profile, oversized wheel arches, black bumpers, and a faux spare wheel box at the tailgate. Except that it really isn’t one.
The Baojun Yue is quite diminutive in length at 3,381 mm, which is about 100 mm shorter than a Suzuki Jimny. It does seat four people within its 2,110 mm wheelbase which is 100 mm longer than a Wuling Mini EV.
The interior design of the Baojun Yue shows its true nature as a city car with modern features. PHOTO FROM BAOJUN
But like the Mini EV, the Yue’s rear trunk space is non-existent unless you fold down the rear seats to give it a 715-liter cargo hold.
Same basic EV formula
The Baojun Yue stands 150mm off the ground. Not exactly off-road ready, but it looks the part. PHOTO FROM BAOJUN
An electric motor located at the Yue's rear axle, similar to the Wuling Mini EV layout, churns out 68 PS and 140 Nm of torque. And similar to the Wuling Mini EV and the Wuling Bingo, its top speed just about reaches 100 km/h with a range of 303 km CLTC.
The Baojun Yue has a 28.1 kWh Lithium-Iron-Phosphate battery pack and yet it still weighs a spritely 1,006 kilos. DC charging from 30% to 80% state of charge can be done in 35 minutes.
Like any modern SUV, the Baojun Yue has LED headlights, a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System developed by DJI (yes, the drone maker), dual 10.25-inch screens, auto brake hold, cruise control and even a 350-degree camera. Its ground clearance is 150mm which is decently higher than a typical sedan.
Zennials, rejoice!
Should Wuling Philippines bring in the Car Watch feature too? PHOTO FROM BAOJUN
The Baojun Yue also has a neat party trick up its sleeve, or rather its tailgate.
As an optional accessory, the Car Watch can display messages, graphics, and gasp… emojis, on its 300 x 256 mm rear LCD screen located where a spare tire would have been.
Shaped like a wristwatch, the panel might become useful in EDSA traffic when thanking drivers for letting you cut ahead of them.
The Baojun Yue is manufactured by the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture which Wuling Philippines, through GRC Motors, is in direct contact with.
Along with the final specifications, there is no word yet on the price as Wuling Philippines has yet to peg one. However, interested buyers may get in touch with them through the Wuling Philippines website, or visit their newly minted showroom along Chino Roces in Makati for more details.
Would you buy a Baojun Yue or stick with a Suzuki Jimny? Let us know!
With an automotive career spanning 27 years as a former touring car racer turned automotive journalist and photographer, Mikko also handled marketing and PR for two major Japanese car brands before finding peace and purpose in sharing his views about cars, driving, and mobility.
