Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) handed over a fleet of its flagship electric vehicle (EV), the IONIQ 5, to the local government of Makati. Five standard range units in Phantom Black Pearl were selected for deployment as response vehicles to keep and ensure the safety of the city’s residents and transients.
The handover ceremony was held at the Makati City Hall’s Open Grounds last January 18, 2024. In attendance were Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) strategy planning division executive vice president Dongwook Kim and policy coordination office vice president for hydrogen and EV business Yongtae Kim. HMPH president Dong Wook Lee was joined by managing director Cecil Capacete, directing coordinator for sales and dealer development Jae Ha Ryu, and directing coordinator for aftersales Young Uk Ko.
“Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967, and with partners like the Philippines, we are now one of the world’s largest automotive groups. Our journey has been an exciting one so far. We are proud and very grateful for the successes we had. However, we are always striving to do better,” said Mr. Dongwook Kim. “The IONIQ 5 exemplifies the essence of Hyundai Motor Group’s technology and innovation. As proven by the World Car of the Year several times, capturing people’s hearts all over the world. Undoubtedly, Makati is the most suitable city in the Philippines to match it. Today, we are planting the seed of sustainability. We will be one with your commitment to uplifting the lives of Makatizens”.
His Excellency Sang-hwa Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, also dedicated time to the event and shared a special message, “The Philippines is one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change because of its geographical location and composition. So the electric vehicles for public use revealed today by Makati City are commendable. Makati’s future-oriented approach aligns with the national government’s plan to increase the number of EVs in the country. It also fits well into Hyundai Motor’s pioneering path to carbon neutrality for the benefit of future generations. To this end, Korea is more than prepared to partner with the Philippines in the field of eco-friendly transportation”.
Dating back to 2016, Makati vowed to become a model city built upon sustainable and resilient communities. Several initiatives and partnerships in support of this have been formed since then. Such as with Cisco, to accelerate and support digitization, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency Philippines (KOICA), to establish and construct a public transport information and communications technology (ICT) system and bus service.
Just recently, it was recognized as the sole finalist, not just from the country but also Asia Pacific, at the prestigious 2023 World Smart Cities Awards. Though this is not a first for Makati at this international competition promoting leadership and innovative ideas, its consistency in receiving distinctions is a testament to its progress in achieving its vision.
In attendance for Makati City were its elected officials and members, headed by Mayor Mar-len Abigail “Abby” Binay, Vice Mayor Monique Yazmin María “Nik” Lagdameo, First Congressional District Representative Romulo “Kid” Peña, Second Congressional District Representative Luis Campos, and Head of Law and Public Safety Departments Atty. Michael Camiña. Department of Energy Director Patrick Aquino of the Energy Utilization Management Bureau and the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines President Edmund Araga were also present.
“As a resilience hub, we recognize our critical role in addressing environmental concerns. By introducing Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric vehicles into our public safety fleet, we not only enhance our emergency response capabilities but also contribute to reducing air pollution and our overall carbon footprint. This move not only bolsters our emergency services but also sets an example for other cities to follow in the pursuit of sustainable urban living,” said Mayor Binay.
The IONIQ 5 is currently being offered in the Philippines in two variants with a 5-year or 200,000-km vehicle warranty, an 8-year or 160,000-km battery warranty, and free Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) for 5 years or 75,000-km, whichever comes first. Along with these is the free installation of a 7.4KWh AC wall charger. HMPH aims to solidify the brand’s leadership in green mobility by pursuing the expansion of its related products and services in the country.
Visit https://www.hyundai.com/ph to see the list of authorized Hyundai EV dealerships and learn more about the IONIQ line. Follow and like @HyundaiMotorPhilippines on Facebook and Instagram for other news and announcements.