Buying a car once is a decision. Buying from the same brand three times is a statement. That's the story of Atty. Jian Manjares, a Marikina-based business lawyer, competitive badminton player and self-confessed car enthusiast, whose family garage now holds three GAC vehicles.
Car one: the GS8 SUV (2023)
Atty. Jian first noticed the original GS8 on Philippine roads in 2018 and started researching the brand. His family reserved the all-new GS8 in 2023 and took delivery when it launched that June.
It became the family's main seven-seater for airport runs, out-of-town trips and weekend errands. "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."
Car two: the Empow sedan (2024)
In January 2024, he added the Empow sports sedan, after crossing several legacy luxury sports sedans off his wish list. It's his daily driver for city traffic, badminton tournaments and work trips to Subic and Tagaytay.
"What I really wanted was an 'everyday sports car,' agile and dynamic, yet practical for daily driving," he says.
Car three: the Emkoo Hybrid (2026)
In August 2026, the family replaced an aging diesel SUV with the GAC Emkoo Hybrid, now his mother's daily car for her commute from Manila to Pasay.
It wasn't an automatic choice. The family compared rival brands on fuel efficiency, space, comfort and even the spare tire. The Emkoo came out on top. "Babalik at babalik pa rin pala sa GAC," he says.
An enthusiast's honest review
Since he does some of his own maintenance, Atty. Jian looks at cars from the inside out, and his take is refreshingly candid. "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."
Aftersales sealed the deal
Service has been a big factor too. When his Empow needed a detailed inspection at GAC Pasig, he got a courtesy car. And when he had a locking mishap during a heavy rainstorm, one call to his service advisor brought immediate help.
"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," said Calvin Cheng, President of GAC Philippines.
Why it matters
Chinese car brands are still earning Filipino buyers' trust. Long-term owner stories like this carry more weight than any spec sheet.
GAC Philippines has 33 dealerships nationwide, a dedicated parts warehouse and two years of free roadside assistance.
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