One Family, Three GACs: What Makes Them Choose GAC?

It's not everyday that you encounter a family loyal to one car brand. And yes, trusting the brand isn't built overnight, but as the story goes, if one family member is happy with a car brand, other family member will soon realize its value also. 

And that's the story of Atty. Jian Manjares, a Marikina-based business lawyer, competitive badminton athlete, and hands-on car enthusiast, welcomed the GAC Emkoo Hybrid into his family’s garage, it wasn't a sudden impulse, it was the culmination of a multi-year ownership journey built on real-world engineering satisfaction.

While the decision to replace an aging, diesel-run SUV with the Emkoo Hybrid marked their latest purchase, it was anchored on years of positive experiences with two other GAC vehicles, the GS8 SUV and the Empow sports sedan. Rather than following a rigid brand-loyalty strategy, Atty. Jian’s family arrived at owning three GAC models driven purely by performance, cabin comfort, and exceptional dealership support.

The Latest Choice: The August 2026 Emkoo Hybrid

When shopping for their newest vehicle in August 2026, the family seriously evaluated rival brands across the market, and the Emkoo Hybrid was not initially at the top of their list. However, after an extensive checklist, exhaustive spec comparisons, and rigorous test drives covering fuel efficiency, interior spaciousness, ride comfort, and the practical inclusion of a spare tire, the Emkoo Hybrid objectively emerged as the clear winner.

Serving as his mother's daily commute vehicle from Manila to Pasay, the choice built naturally on the foundation established by their previous GAC purchases. "My mother needed a smooth, fuel-efficient daily driver that didn't compromise on comfort or safety," Atty. Jian notes. "We thoroughly tested other options, but after seeing how everything stacked up, babalik at babalik pa rin pala sa GAC. Because our first two GACs had already proven their worth, choosing the Emkoo Hybrid was an objective, natural decision for our family."

Building Trust: Dedicated Service Space and Daily Performance

That deep-rooted confidence traces back to 2018, when Atty. Jian first spotted the original GS8 on Philippine roads and began researching the brand's platform architecture. The family’s actual ownership journey officially kicked off when they reserved the all-new GS8 around April or May 2023, taking delivery upon its release in June of that year. Chosen as the family’s premier seven-seater for heavy airport runs, out-of-town trips, and weekend errands, the GS8's spacious cabin, strong structural build, and composed highway ride built the foundation of their brand trust across years of heavy deployment. "When you carry your entire family on long trips, space, safety, and ride comfort are non-negotiable," Atty. Jian shares. "The GS8 proved itself immediately, delivering zero regrets from day one."

Satisfied with the GS8's performance, Atty. Jian added the Empow to his garage in January 2024 after crossing off several legacy luxury sports sedans from his wishlist. Serving as his primary daily driver, whether navigating dense city traffic, embarking on solo out-of-town trips, heading to badminton training and tournaments, or handling professional travel to Subic and Tagaytay, the Empow shines on open highways and twisty mountain roads alike.

"What I really wanted was an 'everyday sports car,' agile and dynamic, yet practical for daily driving. The Empow's responsiveness hit that exact sweet spot," he shares.

From daily corporate commutes and tournament trips to family errands, GAC delivers the ideal balance of driving performance, cabin comfort, and reliable aftersales care, powering the high-demand lifestyle of Atty. Jian Manjares and his household across three distinct models.

An Enthusiast’s Validation

As someone who tends to do minor repairs and maintenance himself, Atty. Jian evaluates vehicles from the inside out. His love for studying engine architecture, suspension platforms, and structural integrity allows him to engage in deep technical discussions with service mechanics and advisors.

"GAC cars aren't as flashy, not much 'candy features'," Atty. Jian observes. "But they get the fundamentals right: the driving dynamics, the quality of the parts, the engine, the platform. Even the driving ergonomics are fundamentally right and correct."

Aftersales That Earned Loyalty

Long-term customer satisfaction is ultimately secured in the service bay, and local aftersales support has consistently delivered. Servicing his vehicles at GAC Pasig and GAC Quezon Avenue, the treatment has matched his high expectations.

When his Empow required a detailed inspection and routine maintenance, GAC Pasig provided a courtesy vehicle for the duration, ensuring zero disruption to his daily schedule. Everyday reliability was similarly demonstrated during a heavy rainstorm when a minor locking mishap occurred; a single phone call to his service advisor resulted in immediate, on-the-spot assistance.

Reliability and Innovation Built on Experience

Reflecting on the evolution of the local automotive landscape, Calvin Cheng, President of GAC Philippines, notes that discerning owners like Atty. Jian represent the core of the brand's growing momentum. "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," Cheng shared.

For Atty. Jian and his family, what started as an initial curiosity in 2018 has transformed into genuine repeat-customer confidence. From the GS8’s robust family hauling to the Empow’s sharp daily performance and the Emkoo Hybrid’s practical efficiency, each vehicle has earned its keep through real-world usability. Supported by a responsive service network that steps up whenever needed, GAC has firmly secured its place as a trusted, permanent fixture in their household—proving that when engineering innovation meets dependable aftersales support, repeat trust follows naturally.

With manufacturing expertise shaped by over two decades of collaboration with Toyota and Honda, and growing strength in electrification and intelligent mobility, GAC brings together proven craftsmanship and next-generation technology—Where Craft Meets Technology.

GAC Philippines supports its owners through a nationwide network of 33 dealerships, a dedicated parts warehouse, two years of free roadside assistance, and tailored warranty coverage. ICE models (EMZOOM and All-New GN6) include a 5-year or 150,000 km warranty, whichever comes first. EV models (HYPTEC HT, AION UT, and AION V) carry an 8-year or 160,000 km basic warranty, along with an 8-year or 200,000 km plan for the traction battery and electric drive, applicable up to the specified milestone. PHEV and HEV models (GS4 Max HEV, E8 HEV, GN8 PHEV, and GS8 HEV) offer a 5-year or 150,000 km basic warranty, complemented by an 8-year or 150,000 km policy covering the power battery, driving motor, and motor control unit.