By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat Volkswagen Philippines has revamped its product lineup with the launch of five new models imported from China, replacing Jetta and Polo, at a price range that would enable the Ayala-automotive unit to serve a larger part of the local market. Ayala Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala led the unveiling ceremony by driving one of the highlight vehicles onto the stage – the Santana MPI M/T Trendline. Other models introduced were the Lavida 230 TSI DSG Comfortline, the Tiguan 280 TSI DSG Comfortline, the Santana GTS MPI A/T Comfortline, and the Lamando 280TSI DSG Highline. Three of the five new models — the Santana, the Lavida, and the Tiguan — are already available at the entire dealership network, while the Santana GTS and Lamando will be offered in November. Arthur Tan, president and CEO of the AC Industrial Technology Holdings, Inc., told reporters the new five models would enable the company to capture a bigger share in this volume-driven, mass-based car segment with a very attractive price starting from  R686,000 – to less than R2 million a unit. Of the five models, Tan said the Tiguan is the most expensive. Tan said these models will replace the more expensive Jetta and Polo models, which are imported from Germany (Jetta) and India (Polo), but which will be available upon request. With lower prices, the new models fall under a special taxation bracket of the new excise tax law. In addition, the company has taken advantage of the 5 percent tariff under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement as against 30 percent duty had these units been imported straight from Germany and India. “Look at the features inside the car in that segment, we probably has the best at a very affordable price without giving up all the good features and quality of German engineering,” Tan said. Tan refused to give a sales volume target, but said his order was to rekindle the passion of Filipino people because in the past, this kind of cars are only offered by Japanese and Korean brands. “With these new models, Filipinos have more choices,” he said. “Volkswagen will once more become top of mind of both: A new generation of Filipinos, and of those who still remember those good old days when those iconic Volkswagen cars dominated the motoring landscape everywhere you looked.” Tan further said that these models are built only in China, where Volkswagen’s plant is four times larger than its biggest plant in Germany, and are designed for the Asian market only. He further said that the launch of these 5 models was only the beginning for VW Philippines sourcing of cars from China. “We have a pipeline from China,” he said hinting of other models from China, including commercial vehicles, SUVs and vans in the future. In his welcome remarks, Shanghai Volkswagen First Vice President David Powel said Volkswagen continued to be a strong brand worldwide and even the number one choice for car buyers in many markets, offers these five new models as being “tailor made” for Asian customers. In fact, he said, these five models have had notable successes in China, the world’s biggest and most competitive automotive market. Ayala Corporation, one of the country’s largest conglomerates, provided that special relationship the needed boost when, on May 27, 2013, Volkswagen AG appointed Ayala Corporation as its sole importer and distributor of Volkswagen vehicles in the Philippines, making the German brand become part of the globally renowned family of automotive and motorcycle brands, such as Honda, Isuzu, and KTM, under the nurturing wing of AC Industrials. AC Industrials comprises AC Automotive and Integrated Microelectronics, Inc., or IMI, representing Ayala Corporation’s manufacturing and automotive assets. Since then, under the able management of AC Automotive, Volkswagen Philippines has achieved a string of successes, most notably the establishment of 8 dealerships in Luzon and in Visayas. Volkswagen cars have also received accolades from various local award-giving bodies.